Govt brings Constitution implementation plan

KATHMANDU: A meeting of the Council of Ministers on Thursday passed the Constitution Implementation Action Plan to be implemented till the second week of January 2017.

The meeting held at the Prime Minister's official residence at Baluwatar approved the action plan.

The plan proposes forming the Language Commission, holding the local election and bringing an act related to the Justice Administration.

The government has planned to constitute the Federal Commission for collecting suggestions on province demarcation within August 16, constitute the High Courts within September 16 and bring an legislation related to constitutional bodies and commissions within October 16.

If the plan is implemented, a Federal Parliament Election Constituency Delimitation Commission will be formed within December 15. Constituting the constitutional bodies will also be completed by the date.

The government plans to hold the local body election within December 15 this year. The constitutional bodies and commissions would be formed in the meantime, according to the action plan.

Similarly, the government shall appoint the province chiefs and assign the temporary capitals of the provinces within April 13, 2017 while holding the general election in January 2018.

The government has also decided to bring laws related to the election of the President and Vice-President and the laws concerning harmonisation of the employees of the federal, provincial and local levels within January 13, 2017.

A decision has also been made to bring legislation on the election to the Provincial Assembly, the House of Representatives and the National Assembly within that period.

It is stated that the election of the members of the House of Representatives and the National Assembly will be held within November 2017.

Speaking to reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Minister for Information and Communications Sherdhan Rai said the government would present the action plan in the Legislature-Parliament.

It is stated in the action plan that the elections of the President and the Vice-President will be held after concluding the general elections within January 2018 in course of implementing the Constitution passed by the Constituent Assembly on September 20, 2015.

Other major decisions 

Minister Rai, who is also the government spokesperson, said today's Cabinet meeting has promoted Shailendra Khanal and Jeet Bahadur Pun to the post of Additional Inspector General of the Armed Police Force (APF).

Meanwhile, the government exchanged host nations for two ambassadorial nominees.

While on April 19, Niranjan Thapa was previously recommended the ambassador to the Russian Federation, the Cabinet today said he be sent to Myanmar.

Rishiram Ghimire, earlier picked for Myanmar, would take the responsibility of Nepali envoy to Russia after his appointment.

Likewise, the Cabinet meeting today also fixed the additional charges for acquiring emergency passport from the fast track. Accordingly, one has to pay Rs 15,000 to get the service within 24 hours from the time the application is submitted, Rs 12,000 for getting the service within two days of submission of the application and Rs 10,000 within three days of submission of the application.

In the case of minors below 10 years of age, the passport charge has been waived by half, Minister Rai said.