ca continues discussions on CPDCC report

Kathmandu, Dec 15: A meeting of the Constituent Assembly (CA) today continued the deliberations on the new report of the Constitutional-Political Dialogue and Consensus Committee (CPDCC)-2071 BS.

Various CA members representing the different political parties took part in the deliberations.

Dr Subodh Pokharel of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum Nepal (Democratic) sought the Committee's clear information about the progress on the constitution-making. People should know whether they are getting a new constitution within the scheduled date, he added.

  

Rastriya Prajatantra Party's Deepak Bohara said the disputes seen in the contents of a new constitution be discussed within the CA. No bargaining about the agenda of constitution be made in a disclosed locations places or in leaders' houses  and resorts, he said. 

Terai Madhes Loktantrik Party's Sarbendranath Shukla argued for sending the Committee report back  and making attempts for forging a consensus on the disputed issues of a new constitution.  The CA regulations have not guaranteed a separate mechanism to discuss the constitution-related issues.

Sadbhawana Party's Laxman Lal Karna accused the three major parties of ignoring the existence of Terai Madhes, stressing the need of concluding the constitution-drafting on the basis of consensus.

CPN (ML)'s CP Mainali said although the Congress-UML joint nine-point proposal on the constitution's disputes issues presented to the CPDC has created a positive headway for the constitution-writing, the proposal itself is not complete.

Radha Devi Timilsina of Sanghiya Samajbadi Party argued that the matters of federalism be finalised as per the suggestions of previous committee, and the commission on the state restructuring.   Consensus is the sole way for taking constitution-drafting ahead, she stressed.

Prem Suwal of Nepal Workers and Peasants Party called for promulgating a new constitution on time.

Chitra Bahadur KC of Rastriya Janamorcha said disputes on federalism led the previous CA to dissolution without completing the mission, and this time too the same agenda has appeared as a hurdle to the constitution-making. He was in favour of drafting the new constitution by going through a process.

CPN (United) Mithila Chaudhary voiced that the constitution drafting process be concluded on the basis of a consensus.

Nepal Pariwar Dal's Eknath Dhakal, Shivalal Thapa of Rastriya Janamukti Party, Samajbadi Janata Party's Prem Bahadur Singh stressed on the drafting of a consensus constitution.

Nepali Janata Dal's Haricharan Saha, Nepa Rastriya Party's Laxman Rajbanshi and Khambuwan  Rastriya Morcha's Ram Kumar Rai said a constitution failing to guarantee people's rights is not acceptable for them. They accused the Nepali Congress and CPN (UML) of attempting to dominate the constitution-drafting.

Shyam Kumar Shrestha of UCPN (Maoist) said the CPDCC has not hold thematic discussions on the disputed matters.

CPN (UML)'s Gangalal Tuladhar and Kashinath Adhikari and Congress member Badri Pandey stated that the disputed matters shall not be further put in pending in the CPDC in the name of consensus, rather they shall be settled through a process to ensure the timely promulgation of a new constitution.

UCPN (M) Rekha Sharma urged the CA to send the disputed issues back to the CPDCC for consensus.

CPN (UML)'s Bhakta Bahadur BK said the disputed matters be settled soon even through a referendum. He sought death penalty in the new constitution for those committing serious crimes.

The CA is scheduled to meet again at 11:00 am tomorrow. RSS