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On June 3, Ramhari Khatiwada, chairperson of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee, presented the committee’s report on the Constitutional Council (Functions, Duties, Powers, and Procedures) (First Amendment) Bill, 2081, to the House of Representatives. The committee unanimously passed the bill on the same day, including a provision that decisions require the Prime Minister’s agreement.

The bill had been delayed due to disputes among political parties over whether the Council could make decisions without the Prime Minister's consent, given the absence of legal provisions regarding the Constitutional Council.

Why was the Bill presented?

According to Khatiwada, the bill was necessary to resolve the dispute between the Congress and UML parties regarding the Prime Minister’s consent for Council decisions. The committee decided to present the report amending the Constitutional Council (Functions, Duties, Powers, and Procedures) Act, 2066, to parliament.

The bill stipulates that decisions can be made by the Constitutional Council if the Chairperson and at least 50 percent of the current members are present. Previously, when the Congress-Maoist alliance was in power, the UML, then the main opposition, insisted that decisions should be possible without the Prime Minister's agreement. However, with the formation of the UML-Maoist-RSP ruling coalition, the UML has dropped this stance. The Constitutional Council includes the Prime Minister as chairperson, the Chief Justice, the Speaker, the National Assembly Chair, the leader of the main opposition party, and the Deputy Speaker. The bill specifies that a Council meeting quorum is met if the Chair and at least 50 percent of the current members are present. If a unanimous decision cannot be reached, the decision will be made by a majority vote of the Chairperson and at least 50 percent of the current members.

Expert opinions

Former chairperson of the Public Service Commission, Umesh Mainali, emphasized that the original intention of the Constitutional Council was to represent high-level officials to protect national interests. He suggested that the Council should appoint officials from a vetted shortlist, ensuring transparency and public accountability.

Gopal Krishna Ghimire, Chairperson of the Nepal Bar Association, criticized the bill for undermining the balance of power by placing constitutional bodies and the judiciary under executive control. He stressed the need for the Council to remain independent and free from political manipulation.

Constitution expert Bhimarjun Acharya warned that if the bill, allowing the executive head to dominate Council decisions, is passed, it would undermine the judiciary and other constitutional bodies, violating principles of power balance.

Senior advocate Dinesh Tripathi echoed these concerns, stating that the bill disrupts the balance of power and turns the Council into a tool for political bargaining and personal appointments.

Constitutional Council politics

In 2077 BS, amid disputes within the then-ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP), the KP Oli-led government dissolved Parliament and appointed 52 officials to constitutional bodies. These appointments are currently under Supreme Court review, raising questions about the legitimacy of the Council used for political interests by both ruling and opposition parties.

History of the Constitutional Council in Nepal

The Constitutional Council was first introduced in the 2047 BS Constitution to ensure democratic appointments to key state bodies. The Interim Constitution of 2063 BS continued this provision after the monarchy’s fall. Before 2047 BS, appointments were made by the king based on Cabinet recommendations.

Provisions in the 2015 Constitution

The 2015 Constitution mandates that appointments to constitutional bodies adhere to inclusion principles and maintains the Constitutional Council chaired by the Prime Minister. The Council includes high-ranking officials and requires parliamentary hearings for appointments.

Working mechanism

The Prime Minister, as Chair, calls Council meetings, notifying members 48 hours in advance. If consensus is not reached, the meeting adjourns, and a new meeting is called. If there is still no agreement, decisions are made by majority vote, followed by parliamentary hearings for the recommended candidates. The President then appoints the approved candidates.

Importance

Experts highlight that the Council was established to ensure representation from all state branches, maintaining the separation and balance of powers. Constitutional expert Adhikari argues that Council recommendations are more democratic than those by the Cabinet alone.

Conclusion

The Constitutional Council (First Amendment) Bill, 2081, is controversial as it mandates the Prime Minister’s agreement for Council decisions, shifting power towards the executive. While the bill aims to resolve political disputes, it faces criticism for undermining judicial and constitutional independence. Historically, the Council was designed to ensure balanced appointments across state branches. Recent political maneuvers, however, have compromised its impartiality, raising concerns about maintaining the separation of powers in Nepal’s governance structure. The necessity and structure of the Constitutional Council continue to be subjects of political debate and judicial scrutiny in Nepal.

The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Vice Chairman Bater met with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal at the latter's office in Singhadurbar on Sunday.

During the meeting, issues of bilateral relations, mutual cooperation and implementation of the bilateral agreements and consensus were discussed.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Dahal expressed pleasure at the gradual implementation of different agreements signed between Nepal and China during his latest China visit, the PM's Foreign Advisor Dr Rupak Sapkota said.

The PM also thanked the Chinese government for its decision to resume 14 traditional points along the Nepal-China border.

The PM also expressed confidence for the gradual implementation of other agreements signed between the two countries. 

Likewise, discussions were held to further expand the exchanges of parliamentary exercises between Nepal and China.

On the occasion, the CPPCC Vice Chairman Bater said China attaches top priority to its relations with Nepal and the areas of cooperation would be further deepened in the coming days.

Your home is an extension of your personality. Often, it can dictate your mental state—the colors you choose can calm or energize you, and the decorative pieces you have on display will either motivate you or make you nostalgic. A lot of thought and work goes behind a house that looks effortlessly chic. A well put-together house, where everything looks just right, isn’t an overnight achievement. It happens little by little, piece by piece.

That said, interior design is an evolving process. There is no end to it. You are never done. It changes (as it should) depending on the season and festival. Many of my friends who are professional interior designers or are passionate about interior design always tweak their décor depending on their mood, the weather, and time of the year. A cousin has different carpets and throws for summer and winter. It sets the mood, she says. Summer calls for lighter fabrics while thicker materials are ideal for winter.

Every year there are décor trends that dominate the market. Sometimes mixing and matching patterns are all the rage while other times florals tend to dominate the scene. Though fashion and interior design often don’t intersect, I notice a lot of design ideas are influenced by runway trends. This year is all about quiet luxury—understated elegance that calls for attention due to its simplicity.

We are talking about dark woods, luxurious soft textures, and traditionally shaped furniture that you can probably pass down to your children by giving them a new life with re-upholstery. The focus also seems to be on underestimated areas of the house like the hallway and pantry. Instagram-worthy rooms with their fancy couches and neon signs with bold declarations are no longer in. Here are five timeless décor trends that are all the rage in 2024.

Green living for a fresh appeal

Green living is more than just a trend. It’s an important lifestyle choice. Sustainability has never been more important than now. As the mercury rises, we must choose natural ways to keep our homes adequately ventilated and thus cool. Eco-conscious interior design takes center stage in 2024 with nature inspired elements. Potted plants, keeping the windows bare to let the light stream in, and bamboo panes and blinds are some options to give your indoor space a cool, outdoorsy vibe.

A permanent home office

Remote work isn’t a luxury anymore. It’s an alternative that boosts productivity by cutting down on unnecessary distractions and commute time. And it looks like it’s here to stay as more companies and offices are allowing people to work from home. Creating an office space is now the need of the hour. You can’t be expected to work from the dining table or the living room couch if you want to strike a work-life balance. Invest in some ergonomic furniture and stylish, minimalistic pieces to make your workspace functional and inspiring.

Chunky accents for the oomph effect

We often clutter our homes with little knick-knacks and while artfully placed ones can add a lot of character to our space, there’s the risk of it looking a bit too cluttered and chaotic. Dusting also becomes quite tedious if you have too many decorative items around the house. The solution to this is to opt for big, chunky statement pieces like a large vase, a sculpture, or a large coffee table that can double as a centerpiece. They add a dash of quirkiness to any space while elevating its style quotient. Choose a focal piece and have a few smaller items around or on it.

Take your world outdoors

Nature and natural elements have become huge design trends in 2024. From cane and bamboo to jute and linen, natural textures are finding their way into our spaces. They are sustainable and easy to maintain as well. But instead of limiting ourselves to the use of natural elements indoors, taking ourselves outside, from the confines of the walls, is also an evolving aspect of décor—meaning outdoor spaces are being given as much attention as indoor spaces. So, look for ways to revamp your patio, balcony, and garden area. Outdoor, garden furniture like swings and low seating areas can add understated charm to a neglected area.

Play with colors

The all-white trend is timeless. But it’s apparently losing its appeal in 2024 due to maintenance issues. It’s often seen as sterile and lacking personality too. Decorators are opting for bolder colors to infuse character into a space. Accent walls in a range of browns, yellows, and blues are also gaining popularity. Don’t be scared to experiment. Choose a color or a color combination you like and play around with it. You can also add colors to your space in the form of fabrics like curtains and cushion covers if you aren’t bold enough to paint your walls a vibrant hue. 

Akhanda Bhandari is a well-known name in Nepali media fraternity. Born in Bhojpur district of eastern Nepal, he gained recognition through his influential column ‘Voice of the Voiceless’ in Kantipur daily. Later, he joined Annapurna Post and was appointed as its Editor-In-Chief a few years later. He’s also known for his innovative storytelling particularly with graphic narratives. 

Bhandari made his debut in the world of literature with the novel ‘Malaya Express’ in 2013. The novel delved into the emotional and financial struggles associated with Nepal’s remittance economy. Now, after a decade, he has published his second novel, ‘Bora’, which explores the lives of elderly mothers in Nepal.

Bora, which translates to sack in Nepali, carries both metaphorical and literal meaning in the novel. It symbolizes the burdens shouldered by Yamuna, who labors tirelessly, carrying sacks of sand to finance her son Asal Sharma’s education. It also depicts a troubling scene where Asal and his wife, Nirjala Adhikari, discard Yamuna by packing her up in a sack.

The narrative weaves together the lives of its contrasting characters. Asal is raised by his single mother, Yamuna, after she is abandoned by her husband, Rudra Prasad Dahal. Although Asal grew up witnessing his mother’s hardships and holding her in high regard, he is influenced by his wife, Nirjala, and ultimately abandons her. Nirjala, raised in an affluent family in Kathmandu and a doctor by profession, ironically believes in superstitions. She labels her mother-in-law, Yamuna, as a ‘witch’ and conspires to abandon her. 

Bora is set in various locations—Dhankuta, Jhapa, Itahari, Biratnagar, and Kathmandu. It raises questions about familial bonds and societal values. It examines how Asal, despite being raised amid hardships by his mother and grandmother, succumbs to his wife’s pressure. It delves into the dynamics that lead Asal to forsake Yamuna and how his son, Nirjal, rescues his grandmother from an old age home on the premises of the Pashupatinath Temple.

Like Malaya Express, Bora also ends on a happy note. Both novels are set in the Koshi Province of eastern Nepal and emphasize themes of women’s empowerment. Both novels also talk about journalism. These recurring motifs reflect Bhandari’s passion for uplifting readers and his affinity for powerful female characters and the role journalism plays in our society.

Despite its strengths, Bora isn’t without flaws. There are noticeable inconsistencies, such as the character Rashmi Nepali being described as sipping tea in one instance and coffee in another. The use of English terms like ‘aunty’, ‘please’, and ‘okay’ in dialogues supposedly set in rural Nepal decades ago feels inappropriate.

Nevertheless, Bora is a captivating read. Bhandari has crafted a narrative deeply intertwined with the fabric of Nepali society.  The 471-page novel, priced at Rs 700, is an exploration of the silent sufferings of Nepal’s abandoned mothers and criticizes the tendency of elites to neglect elderly people. The novel also delves into the issues of fragmenting family traditions and the rise of elderly homes in Nepal.