KATHMANDU: Various lawmakers, taking part in the ongoing deliberations at the meeting of the Constituent Assembly, have pressed for the delivery of a new constitution despite the odds.

The meeting is deliberating on the proposal, seeking consideration on the amended Bill, relating to the Constitution of Nepal, 2072.

They have also suggested to expedite the constitution delivery process addressing the issues surfaced lately related to the demarcation of the province and embracing the sentiments of all.

Lawmakers like Rabindra Adhikari, Balaram Adhikari, Prem Bahadur Giri, Ganeshman Gurung among others have spoken of the need to maintain the social harmony and goodwill.

Other lawmakers as Taradevi Rai, Rajendra Prasad Pandey, Anita Devkota, Kiran Yadav, Basundhara Rokaya, Tul Bahadur Gurung, among others, argued that delineation of the province should be based on identity and capacity.

They further stated that the new constitution should ensure the rights of women, Dalit, Madhesi, Tharu and backward and other marginalised communities.

As for the issue of citizenship certificate, they held the view that it should be issued in the name of the mother too.

Formation of a separate Commission to resolve the valid demands put forth by the public was also underscored during the deliberation in addition to enlisting provision of quality education in the preamble of the constitution.

In terms of the contentious issues like religion, the lawmakers opined that religion should never be mixed with politics and made a propaganda.

If even the revised Bill fails to address all demands and aspirations of all people and public, the constitution could be amended later to incorporate any issues left behind. On this background, the lawmakers suggested the government to issue the new constitution at the earliest.

Saying that Nepali people wish the constitution should be promulgated at the earliest, NC lawmaker Ram Chandra Poudel stated that the draft constitution was prepared as per people's wishes.

Poudel's statements have come at a time when some political leaders are being accused of writing draft constitution in a closed room.

He said the amended bill of the constitution has incorporated all norms and values of Loktantra (full-fledged democracy) and given space to peoples of all races, groups and 'oppressed' communities and stressed for the development of a proactive system.

"The Bill has incorporated basic norms and values of 'Loktantra' and inclusiveness. The demarcation is not final one and the proposed commission will give it a final shape," Poudel added.

Poudel, also Vice-President of NC, further suggested that the need of the hour is to end unemployment and develop the country's economy and prosperity, adding that a constitution should be promulgated in order to ensure stability, peace and good governance in the future.

Lawmaker Poudel stressed on the need to issue the constitution at the earliest, incorporating all Madhesi, women, Dalits, indigenous communities, Muslims and marginalised groups in the mainstream of the state after correcting weaknesses in the bill.

Similarly, speaking in today's meeting, Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal lawmaker Sunil Kumar Shrestha said that despite the claim that the draft constitution is a document of consensus and agreement of all political forces, the major force has been ignored in the process, indicating to his party.

Likewise, CPN-UML lawmaker Bharat Mohan Adhikari said that problems would not surface any more once the issue of the demarcation is settled after seeking recommendations from the experts.

He further said that the new constitution should state that elections of the local bodies should be held within six months of the delivery of the constitution.

Additional participants in today's discussion on the amended bill include Hira Bahadur KC, Dulari Harijan and Radhe Shyam Adhikari among others.