http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2007/apr/apr10/news14.php
The government has decided to go for second amendment in the Interim Constitution, incorporating some new provisions that will pave way for setting the date for constituent assembly election as well as remove the King by two-thirds majority of the Interim Legislative Parliament if he is found ‘conspiring’ to disrupt the election.
A cabinet meeting today decided to direct the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs to finalise the draft of the amendment in the Interim Constitution.
Government spokesperson and Minister for Information and Communication Krishna Bahadur Mahara said the amendment was necessary before the government could announce the election date as the Interim Constitution states that CA election will be held by June.
Apart from the provision on removing the King, the second amendment will incorporate a clause that will enable the parliament to unseat the Prime Minister by two-thirds vote.
Earlier, the eight parties had agreed to amend the constitution for a second time with these provisions.
The first amendment was made on March 9 to accommodate the demands of agitating Terai groups for more parliamentary seats from the region and the federal structure of the state. nepalnews.com mk Apr 10 07
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Nepali cabinet approves amendment to interim constitution
http://english.people.com.cn/200704/11/eng20070411_365534.html
The Nepali cabinet has approved the Second Amendment Bill to the Interim Constitution, with a new provision for abolition of the monarchy through the Interim Legislature, local media reported on Wednesday.
The government registered the bill at the Parliament Secretariat Tuesday afternoon, The Kathmandu Post reported.
An emergency meeting, held at the prime minister's official residence in Kathmandu, endorsed the bill which has proposed amendment in eight clauses of the interim statute as agreed by top leaders of the eight parties on April 1, shortly before they agreed to form the interim government.
The bill also includes government proposal to hold Constituent Assembly elections on June 20.
The Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs prepared the bill and tabled it at the cabinet meeting.
In the bill, the government has proposed to amend article 159 of the constitution to empower the Interim Legislature to abolish the monarchy by a two-third majority if the king was found involved in conspiracy against the constituent assembly polls.
The government has also proposed a provision for ouster of the prime minister through a two-third majority in the Interim Parliament, and a provision requiring the PM to seek a vote of confidence and summon a parliamentary session upon a call from one- fourth of the lawmakers.
The Interim Constitution promulgated on January 15 was amended for the first time on March 9 to calm down the three-week-long unrest in southern Nepal's Terai region.
The cabinet meeting also decided to ease the process of appointing Nepalese envoys abroad, scrapping the mandatory system of parliamentary confirmation hearings.
Source
The Nepali cabinet has approved the Second Amendment Bill to the Interim Constitution, with a new provision for abolition of the monarchy through the Interim Legislature, local media reported on Wednesday.
The government registered the bill at the Parliament Secretariat Tuesday afternoon, The Kathmandu Post reported.
An emergency meeting, held at the prime minister's official residence in Kathmandu, endorsed the bill which has proposed amendment in eight clauses of the interim statute as agreed by top leaders of the eight parties on April 1, shortly before they agreed to form the interim government.
The bill also includes government proposal to hold Constituent Assembly elections on June 20.
The Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs prepared the bill and tabled it at the cabinet meeting.
In the bill, the government has proposed to amend article 159 of the constitution to empower the Interim Legislature to abolish the monarchy by a two-third majority if the king was found involved in conspiracy against the constituent assembly polls.
The government has also proposed a provision for ouster of the prime minister through a two-third majority in the Interim Parliament, and a provision requiring the PM to seek a vote of confidence and summon a parliamentary session upon a call from one- fourth of the lawmakers.
The Interim Constitution promulgated on January 15 was amended for the first time on March 9 to calm down the three-week-long unrest in southern Nepal's Terai region.
The cabinet meeting also decided to ease the process of appointing Nepalese envoys abroad, scrapping the mandatory system of parliamentary confirmation hearings.
Source
Monday, April 9, 2007
PM Koirala, Prachanda Discuss CA Polls
Source: http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullstory.asp?filename=6a9a9a5qa.9amal&folder=aHaoamW&Name=Home&dtSiteDate=20070408
THT Online
Kathmandu, April 8
Maoist chairman Prachanda today met Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at the latter’s residence at Baluwatar and discussed about holding elections to constituent assembly within the pre-scheduled deadline.
In his first meeting with the PM after the formation of interim government on April 1, Prachanda informed the PM about the concerns raised by UNMIN chief Ian Martin about the CA polls.
In his recent visit with Prachanda, Martin reportedly expressed dissatisfaction over the ‘autocratic attitude’ of the eight-party alliance and deferral of the CA poll date to June 20. Martin was of the view that the eight-party decision to defer the poll date was an example of autocratic attitude of the alliance as the interim constitution has clearly mentioned that the polls would be held within mid-June.
Martin also reportedly warned that preparations for CA polls were slow and holding of free and fair polls by June 20 would be impossible. Prachanda also informed the PM that Martin had warned him that the UN and the international community would not recognize the polls if they were held in haste without ensuring full security and meeting international standards.
On his part, PM Koirala assured Prachanda that the polls would be held on time at any cost. He said the government officials would be made to work overtime by providing extra facilities so as to make the CA polls possible by June 20. A source close to Baluwatar said the PM asked Prachanda and UML leader Madhav Nepal to remain committed to hold the polls on time and he would make days and nights one for timely polls.
He also asked Prachanda and Nepal not to speak anything about the King until the CA polls as making unnecessary statements against the King may provoke him to involve in conspiracy against CA polls.
The source also said the PM wanted to consult Prachanda and Nepal on reviewing the salary and facilities of the security forces.
The meeting lasted for about an hour from 7:30-8:30am.
THT Online
Kathmandu, April 8
Maoist chairman Prachanda today met Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at the latter’s residence at Baluwatar and discussed about holding elections to constituent assembly within the pre-scheduled deadline.
In his first meeting with the PM after the formation of interim government on April 1, Prachanda informed the PM about the concerns raised by UNMIN chief Ian Martin about the CA polls.
In his recent visit with Prachanda, Martin reportedly expressed dissatisfaction over the ‘autocratic attitude’ of the eight-party alliance and deferral of the CA poll date to June 20. Martin was of the view that the eight-party decision to defer the poll date was an example of autocratic attitude of the alliance as the interim constitution has clearly mentioned that the polls would be held within mid-June.
Martin also reportedly warned that preparations for CA polls were slow and holding of free and fair polls by June 20 would be impossible. Prachanda also informed the PM that Martin had warned him that the UN and the international community would not recognize the polls if they were held in haste without ensuring full security and meeting international standards.
On his part, PM Koirala assured Prachanda that the polls would be held on time at any cost. He said the government officials would be made to work overtime by providing extra facilities so as to make the CA polls possible by June 20. A source close to Baluwatar said the PM asked Prachanda and UML leader Madhav Nepal to remain committed to hold the polls on time and he would make days and nights one for timely polls.
He also asked Prachanda and Nepal not to speak anything about the King until the CA polls as making unnecessary statements against the King may provoke him to involve in conspiracy against CA polls.
The source also said the PM wanted to consult Prachanda and Nepal on reviewing the salary and facilities of the security forces.
The meeting lasted for about an hour from 7:30-8:30am.
8 parties agree to amend constitution; sign common minimum programme
8 parties agree to amend constitution; sign common minimum programme
http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2007/apr/apr02/news04.php
The top leaders of eight parties, on Sunday, signed a number of pacts including an agreement to introduce second amendment of interim constitution by inserting a provision to depose monarchy if the latter is found conspiring to derail the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections.
The date for CA polls has been fixed for June 20 and the constitution will be amended to incorporate that – since in the current constitution there is a provision which states that CA elections will be held by the end of month Jestha (June 14).
Likewise, the second amendment proposal will include provisions whereby the Prime Minister can be sacked through no-confidence motion approved by two-third members of legislative-parliament. The PM can also seek vote of confidence if he so wishes. One-fourth number of MPs can also move a resolution proposing special session of the parliament. The PM will also be allowed to appoint non-MP as a minister with the consent of political parties, as per the amendment proposal.
The meeting of eight party leaders also approved five different understandings including the one on the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) – which lays down policies, programmes and priorities for the interim cabinet.
The CMP has four broad points - "National Interest, Democracy and Progress"; "Democracy, Durable Peace and Ensuring Security"; "Immediate Relief"; and "Reforms and Change."
The CMP largely focuses on creating conducive environment to conduct CA polls in a free, fair and fearless environment. It stresses on providing immediate relief to the people including conflict victims, backward classes, regions, castes, Janjatis, women, and Dalit.
The CMP also promises to make schools, hospitals and health centres as peace zones. It aims to create environment conducive for industrial peace and investment.
The CMP also aims to carry forward reforms in industries, banks and financial institutions, transport and communication sectors.
Apart from CMP, the meeting of the leaders signed four other pacts including the commitment of eight parties to ease the environment by ensuring implementation of all earlier pacts; formulation of code of conduct for interim cabinet; formulation of working procedure; and formation of United Coordination Committee (UCC) of the eight parties to steer the government.
As per the pact on implementing earlier agreements, the Maoists have agreed to return all seized properties – private or public – within 15 days, help return displaced persons respectfully and stop public display of weapons. If any weapon that is not registered with the UN is found, that will be seized by the government. At district-level all-party units will be formed to monitor the return of seized properties.
The parties have also vowed to refrain from holding programmes like bandhs and strikes that cause inconvenience to the public. Likewise, the government too will withdraw its security forces from public places like schools, factories or private properties. Maoist inmates in government jails would also be released.
In the code of conduct, the parties have agreed not to resort to mud-slinging or heaping blames on each other.
The agreements were signed by PM Koirala, Maoist chairman Prachanda, UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, NC-D president Sher Bahadur Deuba, People's Front president Amik Sherchan, NSP-Anandidevi president Anandidevi Singh, Leftist Front chairman CP Mainali, and leader of Nepal Workers and Peasants Party (NWPP) Prem Suwal, on behalf of his party president Narayan Man Bijukchhe. nepalnews.com sd Apr 02 07
http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2007/apr/apr02/news04.php
The top leaders of eight parties, on Sunday, signed a number of pacts including an agreement to introduce second amendment of interim constitution by inserting a provision to depose monarchy if the latter is found conspiring to derail the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections.
The date for CA polls has been fixed for June 20 and the constitution will be amended to incorporate that – since in the current constitution there is a provision which states that CA elections will be held by the end of month Jestha (June 14).
Likewise, the second amendment proposal will include provisions whereby the Prime Minister can be sacked through no-confidence motion approved by two-third members of legislative-parliament. The PM can also seek vote of confidence if he so wishes. One-fourth number of MPs can also move a resolution proposing special session of the parliament. The PM will also be allowed to appoint non-MP as a minister with the consent of political parties, as per the amendment proposal.
The meeting of eight party leaders also approved five different understandings including the one on the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) – which lays down policies, programmes and priorities for the interim cabinet.
The CMP has four broad points - "National Interest, Democracy and Progress"; "Democracy, Durable Peace and Ensuring Security"; "Immediate Relief"; and "Reforms and Change."
The CMP largely focuses on creating conducive environment to conduct CA polls in a free, fair and fearless environment. It stresses on providing immediate relief to the people including conflict victims, backward classes, regions, castes, Janjatis, women, and Dalit.
The CMP also promises to make schools, hospitals and health centres as peace zones. It aims to create environment conducive for industrial peace and investment.
The CMP also aims to carry forward reforms in industries, banks and financial institutions, transport and communication sectors.
Apart from CMP, the meeting of the leaders signed four other pacts including the commitment of eight parties to ease the environment by ensuring implementation of all earlier pacts; formulation of code of conduct for interim cabinet; formulation of working procedure; and formation of United Coordination Committee (UCC) of the eight parties to steer the government.
As per the pact on implementing earlier agreements, the Maoists have agreed to return all seized properties – private or public – within 15 days, help return displaced persons respectfully and stop public display of weapons. If any weapon that is not registered with the UN is found, that will be seized by the government. At district-level all-party units will be formed to monitor the return of seized properties.
The parties have also vowed to refrain from holding programmes like bandhs and strikes that cause inconvenience to the public. Likewise, the government too will withdraw its security forces from public places like schools, factories or private properties. Maoist inmates in government jails would also be released.
In the code of conduct, the parties have agreed not to resort to mud-slinging or heaping blames on each other.
The agreements were signed by PM Koirala, Maoist chairman Prachanda, UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, NC-D president Sher Bahadur Deuba, People's Front president Amik Sherchan, NSP-Anandidevi president Anandidevi Singh, Leftist Front chairman CP Mainali, and leader of Nepal Workers and Peasants Party (NWPP) Prem Suwal, on behalf of his party president Narayan Man Bijukchhe. nepalnews.com sd Apr 02 07
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