Kathmandu, August 13

Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli today said the government was committed to working in line with the spirit of the constitution to deliver good governance and prosperity.

Stating that the people had to undergo immense hardship and struggle to write the constitution and they were no longer ready to wait any longer, the prime minister said the government had the monumental task of effectively implementing the pro-people, forward-looking provisions in the constitution.

Addressing the closing function of the three-day Conference on the Constitution of Nepal, Oli said the promulgation of the constitution was a milestone in Nepal’s modern history, and added that the charter guaranteed rights to people of all sections of the society such as the disadvantaged, Dalits, women and the poor.

“The constitution has incorporated our social values handed over from generations to generations,” said Oli.

Oli also said that the constitution of Nepal guaranteed inclusive polity and participatory government besides welfare state, and added that the government was fully committed to realising the objectives of the constitution.

Oli, however, said there were several issues that had to be paid due attention to in the process of implementation of the constitution — ensuring full implementation of provincial rights; equitable allocation of resources among central, provincial and local governments; and striking a fine balance between growth, equity and social justice.

“The government is committed to addressing these issues effectively,” he said, and that he was hopeful that the constitution would help make Nepal a strong and prosperous nation.

According to the prime minister, Nepal’s constitution is flexible as far as amendment is concerned, but any such revision should be carried out keeping at centre nationality and sovereignty.

He said the government’s priorities were enhancement of nationalism, national unity, social justice, quality, equity, and attaining development and prosperity.

“We are also focusing on good governance, accountability, transparency, prosperity and rapid development,” said the PM.

The event, held on the occasion of the third anniversary of the promulgation of the constitution, was attended by more than 300 participants, including seven dozen panelists. There were 30 international participants from various countries, including India, Sri Lanka, China, the US and European countries, according to the organisers.

Kathmandu University School of Law Dean Bipin Adhikari, the convener of the conference, said experts and participants during the event suggested effective implementation of the rights and promises in the constitution for the weaker sections, marginalised and disadvantaged groups.

Other suggestions made by the participants, according to Adhikari, included revision of laws related to proportional representation electoral system; allocation of rights to various levels of governments, division of power among local, provincial and federal governments; swift enactment of laws related to fundamental rights ensured by the constitution; model laws to assist provincial governments to frame their laws; and addressing lack of laws related to parliamentary hearing.

On the occasion International regulatory and commercial lawyer Robert Taylor said rule of law was something that was handed over from generations to generations, and it could be attained through education. “Democracy does not need sophistication, but education,” he said.