President's call to work according to spirit of constitution and public aspiration

Kathmandu, April 10: President Ramchandra Paudel has expressed the confidence that the incumbent government will succeed in working according to the spirit of the Constitution and the wishes of the people.     

Addressing the joint sitting of the Federal Parliament today, he said, "The ten years of practice and experience in implementing the current Constitution are important for us. The foundations of the federal democratic republic have been institutionalised. From this position, the current government must fulfill the desires and aspirations of the people."     

The President expressed heartfelt thanks to the erstwhile government, the Election Commission, civil servants, security personnel, political parties and all voters for playing their role in ensuring that the House of Representatives election was conducted peacefully and fairly.     

"We are all aware that an interim government was formed under the leadership of Sushila Karki with the announcement to hold elections for members of the House of Representatives within six months to promote good governance and control corruption, following the movement of the younger generation and to resolve the complex situation that arose in the country.     

Free, fair and peaceful elections were successfully held on the scheduled date of March 5, and a government has been formed according to the fresh mandate. I would like to congratulate all political parties and candidates who participated in the election, as well as the elected representatives. I wish success to their tenure."     

Noting that through the election, a House of Representatives with unprecedented representation of the youth in Nepal's parliamentary history has been formed, and the new government has commenced its work, the Head of the State said this sends a clear message that the younger generation is attracted to, trusts, participates in, and develops leadership within the federal democratic republican governance system.     

"The people have aspired for a responsible and transparent governance system, efficient service delivery, the end of corruption and establishment of good governance at all levels and sectors, rule of law, employment opportunities within the country, an end to impunity, social justice, rapid economic and social development, peace and stability. The essence, feelings and desires expressed by the Nepali people through repeated mass movements, struggles and most recently the youth movement, were the same," he reminded.     

President Paudel stated that to fulfill the people's aspirations, Parliament must enact citizen-centred, welfare-oriented laws.     

 "I am confident that the government will ensure the effective and result-oriented implementation of the laws in accordance with their essence and intent. Moreover, true respect for the martyrs who sacrificed their invaluable lives for change can only be realised if justice is delivered promptly, independently, and impartially by the judiciary," he added.     

Stating that the past ten years of implementing the current constitution and the experience gained are important for us, the President said the foundations of a federal democratic republic have been institutionalised. "However, much work still remains to be done according to the spirit and essence of the constitution and the aspirations of the people," he pointed out.     

Today's youth have desires that are much newer than in the past, the President said adding that they wanted to learn new things.     

"Traditional labour sectors alone cannot meet the expectations of the workforce entering the labour market. Therefore, the government will focus on the main necessity of today, which is to reform the education system to search for new employment opportunities and produce a workforce in line with market demand, so that the youth who have migrated abroad can be encouraged to settle in their own country and villages.     

I also believe that the government will not delay in developing a culture that respects labour and in providing fair rewards for work, thereby changing the notion that working in the country achieves nothing. No country progresses with a frustrated workforce. The government will focus particularly on breaking the state of despair currently seen among young and educated unemployed people.     

Public service delivery must be efficient to control corruption, ensure good governance, and make citizens feel the presence of the state. By eliminating delays and irregularities in the delivery of government services, the government will ensure that citizens can experience that the government is at their doorstep, and I believe that the government will leave no stone unturned in organising service delivery accordingly.     

In view of the conflicts and instability recently observed in the global environment, there is a need for the government and all concerned parties to advance diplomatic relations with neighbouring and friendly nations based on balance, trust, mutual respect, and cooperation, keeping national interest at the centre.     

The government will take appropriate measures with the global community for climate justice to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change on us.     

To strengthen the democratic republic in the country, promote national unity and achieve the shared goal of economic prosperity, we need to move forward united, not divided, learning lessons from past bitter experiences rather than dwelling on them.     

In conclusion, by embracing democratic values, beliefs and ideals, I express my belief that the sovereign parliament will successfully echo the desires of the Nepali people for freedom, social justice, good governance and prosperity while calling upon all Nepali citizens, representatives, political parties and state mechanisms to unite and move forward on the journey of good governance, development and prosperity."(RSS)