Kathmandu, Sept 19: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that the instability seen at the political level can be addressed through constitution amendment.
Addressing the Special Programme to mark the Constitution Day, 2081 and the National Day at the Army Pavilion at local Tundikhel today, the PM gave assurances that the constitution amendment would be moved ahead with the consent of all the political parties representing in the parliament.
“We will not only look at the numbers in parliament during the amendment process. Maximum efforts would be made to garner consensus of all the parties as far as possible and not only of those parties in the government,” he said, adding that the constitution should be made timely and by making it timely is meant removing or revising the provisions that are inappropriate.
“It means changing the provisions that are incompatible in ‘letter and spirit’ or where there are obstructions.”
Stating that the struggle is now for the protection and implementation of the rights achieved, the Head of Government called on all sides to be committed to political stability, policy-level permanence and the nation’s prosperity.
He stated that the present government is consciously moving ahead to create an environment in which a youth is confident of getting employment within the country itself; a labourer has the confidence of getting decent work, there is equal access to the citizens on health care and nobody will have to go to bed on hungry stomach, the children are found in schools and not on the streets, and farmers get market and price for their agriculture products.
According to the Prime Minister, the government is firstly working to prepare the required action plan for implementation of the fundamental rights in order to build such an environment. He made it clear that policy-wise the work of preparing the action plan required for the effective execution of the laws formulated for the implementation of fundamental rights has been expedited.
Noting that the government’s attention has been centred on mobilizing the economic resources for the implementation of the basic rights, Prime Minister Oli said, “The financial resources necessary for the implementation of the fundamental rights specified in the constitution are not immediately available. The government is working to provide relied to the people by managing the required resources.”
The PM said still 20 per cent of the citizens are living under the absolute poverty line and the present government is vigorously working to bring out all citizens from this vicious cycle of poverty.
“We can make the society equitable only by ending this situation and the national aspiration of ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali’ can be realized only through the equitable society. The model of our development needs to be made inclusive to fulfill the national aspiration,” he reiterated.
Stating that the constitution has prepared an equal base to all for competing, the PM said protection, together with health services, to the older people has been initiated through the all-time social security while quality education has been initiated for the children.
He mentioned that the government is steadfast in its resolve in making the wage-based employment decent and safe, and the life of citizen comfortable and happy after retirement from service through the contribution-based social security.
As the Prime Minister said, the government has the policy of investing in startup, self-employment and entrepreneurship, and of involving the maximum number of youths in them. He stated that the government is clear on the notion that maximum investment should be made in youths and children for the future.
Noting that stability is precondition for development, he stressed on the need of stability in both policy and political realms.
The Prime Minister mentioned that the federal democratic republican system adopted by the nation is a political system based on healthy competition, and a democracy with ‘rights to all, equal access to opportunities, equality, social justice, security and dignity’ is the true democracy.
He made it clear that the rule of law, transparency and accountability are the integral conditions of the Nepali democracy.
“Our state system is a federal democratic republic. It is not the continuation of any dynasty’s autocratic rule. It is a progressive system run through the model in which people themselves elect their rulers. There is no going back from this system. This is the governance system which the people themselves have chosen. It is the duty and responsibility of us all to strengthen it and stand by it,” the PM reiterated.
‘Constitution reflects our collective determination and common views’
Stating that today is the special day for Nepal and Nepali people, Prime Minister Oli recalled that the country got its main laws on Asoj 3 from long struggle, sacrifice of many people and tireless hard work.
“Today is the day that fulfilled the people’s desire of institutionalizing the organized movement launched by the Nepali people since 1993 BS to get rights and ‘governing themselves and writing constitution by themselves’ since 2007 BS”, he explained.
Sharing that the Constitution Day makes him remember about destinations determined along with struggle, journey walked together and gained common achievements, the Prime Minister mentioned that he feels that the Constitution Day is encouraging him to make determination for protecting and promoting the constitution and its effective implementation.
“The constitution promulgated from the Constituent Assembly has reflected our collective desire and shared views. It has incorporated the voices, dreams and aspirations of all–farmers, workers, teachers, students, youths, women, Dalits, indigenous nationalities, Tharus, Muslims, people from backward communities, among others”, PM Oli added.
He viewed that the constitution has guaranteed rights for all citizens as well as expressed commitment for a beautiful and bright future of all the Nepali citizens, stating that it has incorporated sentiments of all Nepalis except exception.
“I want to extend special gratitude towards the Nepali citizens for their unity against the force trying to foil harmony in the pretext of ‘disagreement’ in the constitution,” said PM Oli.
Different types of cultural processions were presented on the occasion as well as a chopper of the Nepali Army displayed a banner with ‘Constitution and National Day 2081’ and showered flowers.
President Ramchandra Paudel, Vice-President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav, Chief Justice Bishowambhar Prasad Shrestha, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, National Assembly Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal, ministers, federal lawmakers, people’s representatives, chiefs of constitutional bodies and security bodies, heads of diplomatic missions, among others were present on the occasion.
