Controversial citizenship bill

The Himalayan Times

19 August 2022

Controversial citizenship bill

Looking at the on-going political Ping-Pong game between the Head of the State and the coalition government of five-party alliance regarding the amended citizenship bill, it seems that an unwanted political situation may be brewing up in the country which can be fatal for both the democratic institutions. Why has the bill become so controversial? What are the clauses which are not palatable to the President and the other constitutional experts, legal experts, the main opposition lawmakers, fringe political parties and the general people? Who are going to mostly benefit or not benefit from the amended bill? Does the bill harm the nation in the long run if it gets the President’s approval as it is? EARN MONEY BY SIMPLY CLICKING ADS

After holding the bill for 14 days, the President sent it back to the parliament recommending for reconsideration “President returns citizenship bill to Parliament” (THT, August 14, Page 1). There was innumerable gratitude conveyed to the President in the social media for sending back the bill to the parliament for reviewing it. Did that mean the citizenship bill was amended not really to address the citizenship problem of the nation but rather simply to please the external powers? If that is so, is not the coalition government trying to hurt the sentiments of the sovereign people?NEPALI POLITICS

In the mean-time, constitutional experts seem to be divided on their opinions over the President’s act of sending the bill back to the Parliament “Did prez exceed by returning citizenship bill the Lower House” (THT, August 15, Page 1). Some of them opined that the President had the discretionary power under Article 113(3) when it comes to the process of making laws. Others argued that she did not have such discretionary power being simply a ceremonial head of state. Whatever her role was interpreted made no difference, at a time, when the ruling alliance decided to pass the bill without making any changes and move it to the House immediately “Ruling alliance to pass citizenship bill as it is” (THT, Aug.16, Page 1). It remains to be seen whether the President will authenticate the bill when it reaches her desk for the second time or just put it on the shelf without taking action on it.

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharajgunj

Comments

Who is he?

Biren P. Bangdel (also known as Rai Biren Bangdel ) is a development management consultant, project analyst, and citizen journalist based in Kathmandu, Nepal . Professional Profile & Background: Project Executive : He has served as an Executive Director and consultant for organizations like Om Ganeshaya Namah Pvt. Ltd. and Merryknoll Nepal (Asha Deep). He also served as a Campus Director in Weigan and Leigh College .He was Deputy Project Manager in Nepal-Swiss funded Rural Health Development Project and Deputy Team Leader in Nepal-CIDA funded Rural Development Project. Project Expertise : He specializes in managing and monitoring multi-million rupee rural development, healthcare, and educational administration projects across Nepal. His core career history spans executive roles within international non-governmental organizations, bilateral foreign aid bilateral projects , and private management enterprises. Media & Commentary : He is an active blogger, online commen...

2083/84 budget at a glance

2083/84 budget at a glance The Balen led government , which is almost two-thirds majority government secured in the March 2026 elections , has announced its annual budget 2,124.34 billion on May 29, 2026, as the largest budget in Nepal's history, representing a 25.2 present increase over the revised estimates of the current fiscal year 2082/83. Most of the financial experts and economic analysts opine that this budget, although optimistic, has broadly, boldly and wisely covered key and major aspects of the national all round development. Huge tax reforms , massive infrastructure allocations, transformative sectoral policies, 7 percent targets on economic growth and inflation capped at 6 per cent are the key aspects of the highly optimistic budget. This shows a departure from a decade of political instability toward productive governance. It has included first sovereign AI computing centre, doubling of personal income tax exemption thresholds , 21 percent civil servant sal...

Proud to be Gurkhas

King Charles III of the United Kingdom has applauded the formation of King's Gurkha Artillery unit which was formally established in April 2025. The King was greeted with a 21-gun salute at the venue and offered with a large traditional flower garland around his neck. He observed the parade being organised to celebrate the creation of the Army's first dedicated Gurkha Artillery Unit . Over the next three years, 400 Gurkha personnel will join the unit. He highly praised the decade old enduring and deeply valued relationship between the United Kingdom and Nepal . During the event, he met military staff and families and posed for an official portrait with the soldiers. The King's Gurkha Artillery draws upon a long tradition of Gurkha service in artillery roles and continues a tradition of military service to the UK. Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cddpd45pl56o

HELLO NEPAL

Search This Blog