Motion seeking consideration on citizenship bill approved

Kathmandu, Sept 3: The meeting today of the House of Representatives has approved a motion seeking consideration on the amendments made by the National Assembly to the Nepal Citizenship (Second Amendment) Bill, 2081.     

The proposal was tabled by Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak.     

In response to the queries raised by lawmakers, Home Minister Lekhak thanked the federal parliament for giving priority to various bills introduced by the current government for easy and simple service delivery to the citizens.     

The Home Minister clarified that the bill provides for granting citizenship in the mother's name, which has made a historical departure.     

He informed the House that the procedure for obtaining citizenship has also been simplified, with special attention to ensuring that no citizen is deprived of the right to citizenship.     

The Home Minister assured that the self-declaration provision in the bill will not be misused, and that the government will make sure that non-Nepali people do not obtain citizenship. He said that a separate law will be presented in the House soon to grant citizenship and provide economic and cultural rights to non-resident Nepali citizens as per the provisions of the constitution.(RSS)