Kathmandu, July 3, 2006

House of Representatives today passed a proposal scrapping 53 provisions in the 1990 Constitution that contradict the spirit of the HoR declaration.

Fifteen provisions were suggested to overcome constitutional obstacles. Terminologies like ‘state’, ‘Nepal government’, ‘Nepali Army’ and ‘Nepali ambassador’ to be used instead of ‘kingdom’, ‘His Majesty’s government’, ‘Royal Nepalese Army’ and ‘Royal Nepalese ambassador.’

The Cabinet will exercise “executive power” stipulated under Article 35. It will also issue ordinances and exercise emergency powers. The Cabinet will exercise the power of removing difficulties as per Article 127, which, however, should be ratified by the House.

The PM will present the government’s fiscal policy and programme in the House.

House will appoint PM while the PM will appoint the deputy PMs and ministers. The Cabinet will nominate members of the National Assembly.

Earlier, the King used to nominate 10 members of the Upper House. The PM will take oath of office in the House and other ministers will do so that in front of the PM and other officials will take oath according to the provisions decided by the House. The Cabinet will appoint ambassadors and special representatives.

Even the Attorney General and Chief of the Army Staff will be appointed by the Cabinet. Deputy Speaker Chitra Lekha Yadav tabled the proposal in the second sitting of the House.

In the first sitting, she had presented the Special Committee’s Preliminary Report, which identified 53 provisions in the Constitution contradicting the House declaration.

Unified Command cops to leave barracks

The Cabinet has decided to recall 3,773 policemen from Nepal Army barracks and post them at their own units.

The policemen were integrated with the army under Unified Command earlier to quell Maoist insurgency. Disclosing this, Information Minister Dilendra Badu, however, did not say whether the Unified Command was being scrapped.

The Cabinet meeting at Prime Minister’s residence at Baluwatar today also finalised the policy and programme, which the Cabinet ministers said addresses the concerns of Dalits, disabled and ethnic minorities.

Badu said the ministry-wise policy and programme for the next fiscal year was inclusive and Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala was to present the same before the House tomorrow.

Earlier the king used to do so as per Article 54 of the Constitution. However, sudden deterioration in Koirala’s health has put it off. The PM was also expected to make a special announcement on addressing the Maoist issue.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet also formed four committees political, administrative, foreign affairs and social, and finance for simplifying the decision-making procedures.