Govt assures citizenship papers to all: DPM Shrestha

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, June 15: Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister for Home Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha has said that the government is committed to securing the rights guaranteed by the constitution as soon as possible to citizens without certificates by making requisite laws.

Speaking at a meeting of the National Concern and Coordination Committee on Wednesday at Singha Durbar, DPM Shrestha said that the government was committed to granting citizenship to all Nepali citizens.

The DPM said that if the Supreme Court decided soon instead of deferring the decision on the stay order, the government would move on its way to granting citizenship to people.

DPM Shrestha said that it was important for the court to understand the sensitivity of granting citizenship to Nepalis who have been in a state of statelessness. Those without citizenship know the pain of not getting citizenship for years, even those who have been ensured that they should get citizenship. Therefore, the government is committed to providing the rights guaranteed by the constitution as soon as possible by making necessary laws, he said. 

Since the court is also a part of the state, it is better to understand this sensitivity. The court should finalise the stay order decision without prolonging it, he said. Whatever the government feels and thinks, there is no other option but to abide by the court’s order, he said. 

“We can also bring another bill and make a law. The court should either say that the certification is correct, or order us to go for a new bill but the court cannot stay mum for months,” he said. “We hope the court will make the necessary decision soon,” he said. 

Home Minister Shrestha has said that the government was confident that the Supreme Court would soon take necessary decision on citizenship.

Meanwhile, DPM Shrestha has said that the government was not in favour of removing the District Election Offices.

Addressing the same meeting, Minister Shrestha said that the government’s intention was not to remove the District Election Office and place it under the District Administration Office.

He said that although there was a word that the district election office would be removed in the budget statement announced for the next fiscal year 2080/081 B.S. presented by the government on May 29, the government’s intention was not to do so.

He said that in the budget statement, it was wrongly stated that the district election offices would be dissolved.  

It is not legal for the government to remove the District Election Office without consulting the Election Commission, he said. 

DPM Shrestha said that the government had to adopt a policy of austerity in the context that the collection of revenue was lower than expected, the ratio of loan repayment was increasing and general expenses were also rising.