KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court today issued directive to the government authorities to gradually ensure inclusiveness in the state organs.

A division bench of Justices Krishna Prasad Upadhyaya and Mohan Prakash Sitaula issued the verdict.

"Implement the provision of inclusiveness in the state organs as per Article 21 of the Interim Constitution to effectively implement the provision," the bench said.

The bench directed the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Parliament Secretariat to implement the constitutional provision.

The apex court was responding to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a group of advocates Prakash Mani Sharma, Kavita Pande and Rama Pant representing Pro Public. "Since it is related to the social justice, the government has to work gradually to include Dalit, Women and Janajatis, Madhesi and the backward class in the government organisations," the bench directed.

The apex court, however, said that it does not see grounds to issue mandamus order to the government authorities to ensure certain per cent of inclusion in certain state authority. "We saw that the government has began to execute the provision from the Civil Servant, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and other state organ to implement the provision therefore, there is no need to issue mandamus order," the bench added. The petitioners had moved the SC seeking the apex court order to include the women, Dalit , Janajatis and Madhesi.

Writ against former CoAS quashed

KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court on Wednesday quashed a writ petition challenging the appointment of former Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Rookmangud Katawal. A division bench of Justices Bala Ram KC and Prakash Wosti quashed the petition stating that it was of no significance as the defendant retired already from the service on September 10. The bench, however, directed the apex court administration to produce such a case of high importance on time for its logical settlement. Dilhari Sharma had challenged Katawal's appointment on ground that his date of birth was corrected by then royal decree of late King Birendra, making him at least four years younger.