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Wake-up call

   
  

Added At:  2012-04-18 10:52 PM

   Last Updated At: 2012-04-18 10:52 PM

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EDITORIAL

The flurry of talks and even the two-day intensive closed-door ones at Hattiban did not yield the expected outcome, yet the participating leaders of the major political parties have stressed that much mileage towards resolving the contentious constitutional issues have been made, but short of a consensus. The issues that still remain out of bounds at the multilateral talks include federalism, electoral system, forms of governance, judicial system, and citizenship. While they should have sorted out the key issues by April 17, they failed to forge a consensus. Now, the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of the Constituent Assembly (CA) has extended the date for a consensus by five days to April 22. That is to be the date that the stakeholders have to resolve the disputed issues, and if they cannot, a voting would be conducted at the CA’s full house meeting to decide upon the issues that still remain unresolved. That this had to come about was speculated seeing the rigid stances that the involved parties have openly exhibited. Yet, what is somewhat encouraging is that the party leaders concerned were very much firm to go through the two days’ intense deliberations at the Hattiban meet despite the fact remaining that no concrete conclusion was arrived at.

The leaders claim that differences over federalism, forms of governance, judiciary, electoral system and citizenship have been narrowed down, but full consensus has not materialised, which means that the wait is still till April 22 whether they will in earnest make a breakthrough. What is clear is that they have agreed to adopt a mixed-member proportional representation electoral system, which, however, has to be formalised. To see that they are unanimous on identity and economic viability as the basis for carving out provinces ought to be welcomed, together with a minimum number of provinces. These were supposed to be settled the other day, but the meet, in the absence of UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala the outcome was inconclusive. The leaders must take their time off other engagements to focus on the all-important task of resolving the constitutional issues so that they would pave the way for the Constitutional Committee (CC), which is mandated to prepare the first draft of the federal democratic constitution. As decided, the CA full house meeting is slated for April 23, and if the leaders are unable to reach a consensus, it is clear that voting in the CA will be the decider.

However, as per the constitution drafting calendar, the 39 days that still remain for the constitution to be promulgated will not be enough. Therefore, the leaders have agreed to amend Article 70 of the Interim Constitution for shortening the approval duration of the constitution. This must be one pragmatic decision of the major parties, since they have wasted much valuable time bickering, instead of being serious in the true sense of the word. At this crucial juncture, there have been many pitfalls, all because of the disinterested manner in which the major party leaders had worked. There is a glimmer of hope that they will come up with some achievement by April 22, or the CA will decide.


How’s that?

Nepali cricket players are being recognized in the international scene. Offers have come from abroad for two Nepalese cricketers to play in two countries. Shakti Gauchan had been invited for a trial for the Indian Premier League while Nepali national team captain Paras Khadka is all set to play in the Canada Premier League. Now, professionalism in cricket is gradually coming in the country. It is actually possible for cricketers to make a living out of playing cricket if they can play well. Nepal’s national side has been doing consistently well in various cricket tournaments in the international arena. The cricketers should be praised for their dedication and also their coaches.

Some of the cricketers are pretty good by any standard. What is needed for the country to do better in cricket is to develop the infrastructure and to tap the skills of the players from very early on. The cricketers should also receive the necessary incentives and encouragement. There should constantly be a lookout for the talented cricketers, who should be groomed

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