Pokhara, September 21

Finance Minister and Nepali Congress central leader Ram Sharan Mahat today said implementing the new constitution would be challenging for the parties and the government.

Addressing a ceremony organised to celebrate the promulgation of the new constitution in Pokhara, Mahat claimed that the newly-promulgated constitution was the most progressive, excellent and inclusive in Asia. He, however, admitted that three were challenges in distributing economic and social rights among the seven provinces.

Stating that a financially feeble country would have a hard time managing expenses for seven states, Mahat held that national unity was a must to settle disputes and difficulties seen in the federal model. He requested the agitating Madhes-based parties and other disgruntled groups to come to the table and seek a solution.

Mahat noted that the new constitution was born out of 90 per cent people’s participation. “It is natural to have some dissatisfaction. No country in the world has made a constitution with 100 per cent people’s participation. And, we can amend the statute to address the discontent,” Mahat added.

Mahat said that the government had deployed Nepali Army to prevent loss of life and property in the Tarai. “We have to end the bandh forever,” Mahat said, stressing that the country should now focus on economic prosperity.

At the programme, CPN-UML leader Shankar Pokharel claimed that the new constitution of Nepal was excellent as it had guaranteed 33 per cent women’s participation in Parliament, 40 per cent reservation for Dalits, women and other marginalised people.