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Speaker Devraj Ghimire has asserted that the topic of constitution amendment should be pursued in a systematic way on an objective basis and not on sentiment. He also pointed out that the weaknesses seen in the implementation of the constitution should also be analyzed before delving into amendment.

According to the Speaker, the nation has entered into the federal democratic republican order and significant positive changes have been taking place that can be felt in the overall lifestyle of the people. He opined that although the State has limited means and resources, the overall progress is notable. Speaker Ghimire said the living standard of the people has risen and they have been getting basic health services and education to some extent.

The Speaker expressed this in an interview to the National News Agency (RSS) in the context of the Constitution Day-2081 tomorrow.

Role of parliament in institutionalizing republic

Asked what kind of a role the House of Representatives (HoR), the lower house of the Federal Parliament, is playing for institutionalizing and strengthening the federal democratic republic, Speaker Ghimire said it has been nine years since the promulgation of the current constitution and the HoR is making efforts to making its works effective.

The parliament constituted after the first general election following the promulgation of the constitution mainly centered on formulation of laws. Some of the required laws were made at that time itself and the federal democratic republican system was institutionalized and made effective.

The parliament is currently active in making the necessary laws even after the second election. On top of that, the parliament has focused its attention a little more on observing how the laws are being implemented and on providing feedback, suggestions and directives to the government for their effective implementation after holding the required debate and discussions.

Political instability affects Parliament

To the question whether the change in political equation had any impact on the regular works of the parliament in the meantime, the Speaker said that coalition governments were formed with the alliance among the small parties and there was a change of such governments within a short time which affected the regular activities of the parliament to some extent. The change in the power equation at the center had its knock-on effect in the provinces as well.

The second parliament at the center also could not carry out its responsibilities as expected. The parliament should have gained momentum in this period of about two years, but its role and the aspect of constitution implementation was not effective. However, comments like those that the popularity of the constitution and the parliament had diminished need not be made. Instead, the people's sentiments are being vociferously being expressed directly through the parliament.

Asked about there remaining to be made some Acts directly related to the constitution's implementation on the one hand and how he has found the status of the implementation of those Acts already formulated to that connection on the other hand, the Speaker stated that there is no concrete report as to in which specific areas there was a lack of laws and that also what specific laws were needed. According to him, many laws compatible with the constitution have already been drafted by the parliament formed after the first election.

Acts like the Federal Civil Service Act especially related to implementation of federalism should have been passed by this time, but that has not happened yet and this has created a bit of confusion in the civil service. The parliament has been trying its level best to get some of the major laws related to federalism implemented into the parliament and it has called attention of the government to this end.

Another is the School Education Bill that also needs to be taken ahead and finalized with priority. There is the Police Adjustment Bill that is still not finalized. The parliament has already drawn the government's attention to the need of introducing bills related to these key laws in parliament as soon as possible.

People's aspirations largely addressed by present Constitution 

When asked how people directly benefited after the promulgation of the current constitution which is written by the people's representatives for the first time in history, the HoR Speaker viewed that it has instilled hope among the people that the State addresses their demands through their representatives and the people's aspirations can be addressed through the province and local governments.

The people have to experience that they have the government at their doorstep. It would not be possible for the people to get 'delivery' from the State had the works that had been done especially under the constitution not been carried out under the current political system.

In the context of constitution implementation, despite the shortage of several laws and the required employees, the State agencies are working in improving the delivery to the people and due to this, there has been a positive change in people's lives.

Necessity of constitution amendment

Constitution amendment is required and it is natural to remove any impediments encountered in the implementation of the constitution. However, the debate and discussions on which issue made the constitution implementation difficult and what needs to be amended in the constitution have not come to the fore now. 

Nevertheless, there are also good aspects of constitution amendment in the context of the experiences from the implementation of the constitution so far. Rather than for or against constitution amendment, an environment is gradually building up for holding discussions on what the reality is, what are the difficulties in the implementation of the constitution and which of the Articles of the constitution are problematic etc.

When a situation of consensus and understanding did not exist in parliament in the past, it was impossible to get even the necessary legislation passed. Now it is possible.

Speaker's message to Nepali people on Constitution Day 

We have brought this constitution from the Constitution Assembly after putting in great efforts and at a big cost through long struggle. Now when there is a talk of constitution amendment, this topic should be pursued ahead on an objective basis rather than subjective and in a systematic way. Attention should be paid towards addressing the shortcomings seen in the implementation of the constitution. May the Ninth Constitution Day give inspiration to all the political forces, specially the parties and the politicians in the leadership role, to employ the democratic republican constitution in the interest of the peoples.

Fulfilling the things that the experience during this period demanded, let the constitution be implemented in a practical and effective manner in the coming days. Let the constitution be even more effective and this be taken as a document that is forever practical. Best wishes to all on the Ninth Constitution Day.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stressed on the need of distribution of equal opportunity of quality education encompassing the backward classes, regions, gender and nationalities in the mainstream of education.

He has said it is inevitable to ensure equal opportunity and benefit by removing the inequalities existing in education at all levels and opportunities at the province and local levels. In a message of best wishes on the occasion of the National Education Day today, the Prime Minister asserted that the government is committed to increase the share of the national budget in the education sector to achieve the sustainable development goal and also to have the School Education Bill, 2081 discussed and passed by Parliament.

The National Education Day commemorates the day the Compulsory and Free Education Act, 2075 was issued to implement the fundamental right to education guaranteed by the Constitution of Nepal. The government began celebrating National Education Day on Ashoj 2 starting last year, based on the date of the certification of the "Compulsory and Free Education Act, 2075," which was enacted to implement the fundamental rights outlined in the constitution. 

This year the day is being observed with the slogan, "Knowledge, Science, Skills, Entrepreneurship, and Originality: Partnership and Systemic Competence." The PM expressed his happiness that the National Education Day is being celebrated across the country by organizing various programs.

The Head of the Government said there is a situation in which all the three tiers of the government needed to enhance partnership in investment based on mutual coordination, collaboration and co-existence for achieving the goals of compulsory and free basic education and free secondary education.

"It is necessary to utilize the existing investment and resources in an effective and productive manner and to produce citizens and build society with moral character, and to promote employment, through quality education," PM Oli said.

As the Prime Minister said, the teaching-learning from school education, the general/technical education to higher education needs to be made inclusive and of quality in order to achieve the global sustainable development goals by 2030.

He also insisted on developing all the education institutions into the center of excellence in knowledge and making education as the means for achieving the national aspiration of 'Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali.'

Nepal and Canada are holding bilateral talks today.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Arzu Rana Deuba, who is in Ottawa to attend the 'Women's Foreign Ministers Meeting' to be held in Toronto, Canada, on October 19 and 24, is scheduled to hold talks with a delegation led by Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly.

According to the Embassy of Nepal in Ottawa, Foreign Minister Deuba is scheduled to attend a meeting with the office-bearers of the Canada-Nepal Parliamentary Friendship Group at the Parliamentary Hill and a reception to be hosted by the Embassy on the occasion of the National Day.

Minister Deuba, who arrived in Canada on Tuesday to attend the meeting at the friendly invitation of Canadian Foreign Minister Jolie, was received at The Montreal International Airport by Nepal's Ambassador to Canada Bharat Raj Poudyal, Nepali embassy staff as well as courtesy officials of the Canadian government.

Nepal will present its positions and policies on a broad range of national, regional, and global issues at the ongoing 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), according to top officials.

In a recent address to Parliament, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli outlined his intentions for the UN forum. “Nepal has its own policies, viewpoints, and challenges, along with our achievements,” he said, emphasizing his commitment to sharing Nepal’s progress and challenges with the global community while seeking international cooperation where necessary.

Prime Minister Oli is set to travel to New York this week to participate in the annual UN meeting. Officials indicate that he will spotlight Nepal’s key political milestones, including the 2015 Constitution and its defining features. Oli will also outline Nepal’s vision of democracy, making the distinction between democracy and anarchism.

Oli will also reaffirm Nepal’s foreign policy fundamentals, particularly its emphasis on relations with neighboring countries. In his Parliament address, Oli reiterated that Nepal’s foreign relations are guided by the principle of “amity with all, enmity with none.” He added that Nepal’s foreign policy is anchored in the UN Charter, non-alignment, non-interference in internal political affairs, and a firm stance against external interference.

Nepal is also expected to express its concerns regarding the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and conflicts in the Middle East. Additionally, climate change will feature prominently in Oli’s address to the UN assembly, with the prime minister planning to raise awareness about its impact on Nepal’s Himalayan region. “I will draw attention to the link between melting Himalayan glaciers and rising sea levels,” Oli said, stressing that this is not just a regional issue but a global concern.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last year expressed alarm over the effects of climate change on Nepal, noting that it faces severe impacts due to the climate crisis. “Nepal is one of the countries suffering the most, and other South Asian nations may soon face similar threats from receding glaciers,” Guterres said in a 2023 address to Nepal’s Parliament. “What is happening in this country as a result of climate change is an appalling injustice and a searing indictment of the fossil fuel age.”

On the sidelines of the UNGA, Prime Minister Oli will attend the “Summit of the Future: Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow,” focusing on securing a sustainable future for humanity and the planet. The prime minister plans to present Nepal’s views on critical issues, including the protection of children and the environment. He will also address the challenges faced by small island nations due to rising sea levels, linking them to the broader issue of climate change impacting mountainous countries like Nepal.

Preserving ecosystems will be another priority for Oli at the UN. He told Parliament that he plans to discuss the interconnectedness of mountain and ocean ecosystems, underscoring the need for global cooperation in environmental preservation. Additionally, Prime Minister Oli is expected to participate in discussions on drug-related problems, a growing concern for Nepal, though he did not elaborate on specific details.

Prime Minister Oli assured Parliament that all his statements at the UN would be made public, and he pledged to provide a detailed report to lawmakers upon his return. “I want to assure the honorable members that after my return, I will report to the House about everything I did and said. All my statements will be available to the media—nothing will be kept secret,” Oli said.