Kathmandu, October 2

Twelve days after promulgation of the new constitution the Nepali Congress-led coalition government has taken the initiative to amend the constitution without taking the coalition partner CPN-UML into confidence.

Cabinet today decided to direct the Ministry for Law, Justice, Constituent Assembly and Parliamentary Affairs to begin necessary procedure to amend the constitution.

Minister Mahesh Acharya said the decision to amend the constitution was taken after PM Koirala called for the same in his address to the House.

The amendment bill to be tabled in the House will guarantee proportional inclusion in the social justice clause of the new constitution and ensure population as the main basis for the delineation of the election constituencies as demanded by the movements of the indigenous nationalities, Madhesis, Dalits and Tharus.

NC Vice-President Ramchandra Paudel said the agitating parties should now join the Parliament and show generosity by reciprocating the action taken by the prime minister to address their demands by amending the new constitution despite several hurdles.

Minister for Industry Mahesh Basnet claimed that NC decided to amend the new constitution despite the CPN-UML’s objection.