Nepal Constitutional Day 2018 Highlights: Key Amendments Still Awaited!

The new Nepal Constitution, promulgated after six decades of intense political struggle, completed two years of its successful journey and has finally stepped up to celebrate its third anniversary on September 19, 2018.

Marking the third anniversary of Nepal Constitution, the Government of Nepal planned celebrations on a grand scale across the country.

Special march by Police and Army, cultural procession representing the country’s diverse cultures and communities, a special function at the Nepal Army Pavilion at Tundikhel and an aerial display of a banner featuring ‘Constitution Day-2075’ stand among the key highlights of the 3^rd Constitution Day celebrations in Nepal.

The 3^rd Constitutional Day is so special for Nepal majorly because of:

• Formation of new government as a result of a long-awaited political transformation that resulted in the formation of Communist-led government by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli
• Formation of federal governance in line with the constitutional provision
• Endorsement of the Civil and Criminal codes that came as replacement to the 55-year old Nepal General Code, very recently
• Passing of nearly key bills pertaining to fundamental rights
• 110 new bills in the to-be-approved list before the Constitutional deadline i.e. September 18, 2018
• Enhancement of regional cooperation and global status through BIMSTEC 2018 Summit
• New measures limiting the flow of foreign funds and strengthening local levels to generate more income locally

 
Long-awaited Fundamental Rights Endorsed, Others Soon
Meanwhile, in the latest update, the President Bidya Devi Bhandari has authenticated all the 16 fundamental rights bills on September 18, 2018.

All these bills are effective as laws from September 19, 2018, informed Bhesh Raj Adhikary, Chief Personal Secretary to the President.

Approval of these bills is the result of the constitutional provision that mandates passing of all bills within three years since the promulgation date.

According to House of Representatives Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara, seven other fundamental rights bills are under discussions in the Lower House, while three are at the National Assembly.

Mahara informed that the discussion of bills would continue in the next Parliament session, if the Parliament fails to conclude them in the current session.

On the other hand, two other laws to govern national-priority projects and those mega development projects are under formulation at the PMO. While the first of the two is formulated in line with budgetary provision, the second law is coming back into the picture after a long gap of three years.

Some of the issues affecting timely execution of projects such as the lack of stability of project chiefs, timely support from various government agencies and obstruction by various elements will be addressed once the proposed law comes into effect, says PMO Secretary Kedar Bahadur Adhikari.

The National Planning Commission (NPC) has two laws in its bag including a periodic National Evaluation Action Plan (2016-2020) and Monitoring and Evaluation Guidelines.

List not exhaustive! There are many such new initiatives that make this Constitutional Day special for Nepal. “The law will also guide all development projects—implemented either by the federal, provincial or local governments,” says NPC Secretary Laxman Aryal.

Besides many positives, there are also list of pending things that Nepal Government is yet to fulfill as envisioned by the constitution.  Let’s also look at some of them:

Even three years after the promulgation of the new Constitution, political parties of the country are still struggling on making necessary amendments to provisions that are undergoing among ethnic groups.

Statute amendment is one among the key amendments demanded by the Madhes-based parties, who have been fighting for provincial representation in the National Assembly based on population, due recognition to all ethnic languages, demarcation of federal units and citizenship rights.

“How can Madhes celebrate when this constitution has the blood of the Madhesi people?” says Dipendra Jha, a Madhes rights activist, speaking on side-lines of the 3^rd Constitution Day.

Besides, many indigenous groups and women rights groups also have some constitutional amendments to be fulfilled by the government.

Addressing all the concerns, Oli Government has already made promises of making necessary constitutional amendments needed for the welfare of Nepali society. But, a concrete plan towards that is still a question among many!

Let’s have a glance at Nepal Constitutional Day 2018 Celebration Highlights:

518 Personalities Honored!
On the occasion of the 3^rd Constitution Day, Nepal Government announced rare honors and rare prestigious awards to around 518 personalities belonging to different sections of Nepali society.

List of honorary titles and respective awardees announced on the Constitution Day 2018:

• Nepal Ratna (Highest Civilian Award): Late Puspa Lal Shrestha, Founding General Secretary of Nepal Communist Party
• Maha ujjwal Rastradeep (First Class): Famous Nepali Politician Gajendra Narayan Singh (posthumously), famous Nepali Musician Ambar Gurung (posthumously), Nepal’s Litterateur of the Century Satya Mohan Joshi and Nepal Rashtra Kavi Madhav Ghimire
• Supradsiddha Janasewa Shree (First Class): Om Prakash Mishra, the newly-appointed Chief Justice of Nepal
• Ujjwal Kirtimaya Rastradeep (Second Class): Famous Nepali Historian Dr Bal Krishna Pokharel and Culture Expert Jagman Gurung
• Sukirti Maya Rastradeep (Third class): Dinesh Hari Adhikari, Nepali Singer & Artist Hari Prasad Rimal (posthumously) and Historian Prof Dinesh Raj Panta
• Kirtimaya Rastradeep (Fourth Class): Jhamak Kumari Ghimire, Nepali Writer of the Madan prize-winning book Jeevan Kanda ki Phool
• Param Bhaskar Gaurav: Six Army officials
• Suprabal Janasewa Shress (Third Class): Nepali journalists Shiva Gaunle, Tirtha Koirala and Shree Om Prasad Shrestha among 96 honored
• Prabal Janasewa Shree (Fourth Class): Min Ratna Bajracharya, Gopal Thapaliya, Gopal Budhathoki, Madhav Bidrohi, Raghu Mainali and Pratap Bista, among 162 honored

 Event Highlights:
1. President Bhandari on the occasion of the 3rd Constitutional Day in Kathmandu on September 19, 2018

2.  Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli addressing the nation on the 3rd Constitution Day on September 19, 2018

3. Personnel hold national flag marking the celebrations of the Nepal Constitutional Day 2018

4. Nepal Army personnel march on account of the constitutional day celebrations at Tundikhel Army Grounds in Kathmandu

5. Nepali women in ethnic wear perform traditional dance as part of the Constitutional Day 2018 celebrations on September 19, 2018

Also Read:

• Nepal Laws and Rights – A Glance from Past to Present
• New Educational Draft Bill Deviates from Nepal Constitution Provisions
• Nepal Politics 2018: Presidential Election, Constitutional Amendment Make Headlines
• Nepal General Elections 2017: Reforms, Poverty Alleviation and Constitutional Amendments High on Political Manifestos
• US Greets Nepal for Constitution Day, Lauds Local-level Elections
• New Constitution Favored FDI Inflow into Nepal, Says Official