Even NC has reservations on some issues but we are ready to promulgate constitution

Kathmandu, August 21

Minister for Information and Communications Minendra Rijal said today that the constitution would be a blank paper if the government were to comply with all the demands of various groups and parties.

Addressing the District Cabinet Officers Installation and First Regular District Cabinet Meeting of District 325 A1 under Lions Club International, Rijal said even he was not fully satisfied with the draft. “We also have some reservations on some issues but we are ready to promulgate the constitution,” said Rijal. “If we go on fulfilling all the demands of the political parties and agitating groups, the constitution will merely be a blank paper,” he said.

“The first CA was a failure and the second has also missed one deadline. Now we are not in a position to waste more time although it seems difficult to come up with the constitution meeting the new deadline of September 1,” said the minister. “In the current CA, Nepali Congress is the only party without whom the constitution is not possible.”

Rijal congratulated Sanjay Khetan for becoming the first Nepali to be elected as the International Director of Lions Clubs International. Khetan, an engineer by profession, was elected as the International Director during the Lions Clubs International convention in Hawaii, USA, in June. He also applauded Lions Clubs’ efforts in the rescue and relief during the devastating earthquake. District Governor Sunil Bhakta Shrestha said the Lions were always ready to serve despite the adverse condition of the country.

Shrestha said the Lions Clubs was going to establish a full-fledged Blood Bank in Kirtipur and they had set aside Rs 10.25 million as the seed money. “We have already acquired three-ropani land from Tribhuvan University and the project has already been started,” he said.

Shrestha said they had received Rs 400 million for nation rebuilding from Lions Club Foundation and they were waiting for the government’s green signal to spend the money. “We have planned to build 1,000 shelters and 300 school building from the amount and are waiting for government’s permission,” he added. Shrestha also said Lions Clubs International had approved Rs 10 million each for Old-age Home in Biratnagar and Health Post in Mahendranagar.