CA Schedule Changed Again
Himalyan Times- 2009-04-30
KATHMANDU: The Constituent Assembly today changed its work schedule for the fourth time without changing its deadline of writing the constitution by May 28, 2010.
As per the changed schedule, the parliamentary committees will have to submit their concept papers on the respective contents by May 22, instead of the earlier April 23.
The CA meeting held today unanimously passed the proposal presented by chairman Subas Nembang. After the discussion of the concept papers at the CA and preparation of the first draft of the constitution, CA members will approach people for their views.
Accordingly, period for public opinion collection on the first draft has been reduced to two months from three.
"The change in the schedule was necessitated by the delay in opinion collection and its processing in the first phase," said Mukunda Sharma, spokesperson, CA.
Parliament session put off
The Himalayan Times
April 21 2009
KATHMANDU: The CA session has been postponed till 3 pm Thursday after the Nepali Congress boycotted proceedings in protest of the government’s decision to seek clarification from the CoAS Rukmangad Katawal.
The other 17 parties joined the Nepali Congress in boycotting the session. NC has continued to boycott the house proceedings since Monday.
Domestic violence law soon
The Himalayan Times,
Kathmandu, April 13
Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare Ram Charan Chaudhary today said his ministry was drafting a bill on domestic violence.
Addressing a discussion organised by National Women’s Commission and Saathi organisation, minister Chaudhary viewed that the women needed to claim their rights.
Minister Chaudhary pointed out the need to have enough resources for the enforcement of law, saying that drafting of the bill alone would not be enough as it should have an impact on people.
Echoing the minister, women lawmakers said the bill was in its final stage.
Constituent Assembly member Sapana Pradhan Malla said the women lagged behind as the framers of earlier constitutions were biased towards them. Sharing that the draft should be based on right rather than welfare, Malla said women should be able to live a life of dignity. Lawmaker Dr Arju Rana said the government was inactive for downsizing domestic violence and proposed for establishing social service department whereby torture exerted on women could be recorded. She said the militarisation of the youth by the parties had resulted in increased impunity in the society.
Struggle committee coordinator Bandana Rana said that they had been advocating for the bill for the last 17 years and hoped the parliament would enact it soon.
Carter Centre lauds orderly by-election
Himalayan News Service
Kathmandu, April 13
The Carter Centre has congratulated the people of Nepal, the Election Commission and the political parties for the conclusion of a peaceful and orderly by-polls with a few suggestions for some changes in the future.
Issuing a press release today, it said the election held on April 10 went smoothly and the citizens were able to exercise their democratic rights. It added that the security provided during the election was wonderful.
However, the observers felt the necessity of a more systematic and scientific process even though the Electronic Voting Machines were used in the polls. It stated that the introduction of citizenship certificate as mandatory for voters' identification was a marked improvement.
The centre also praised the the political parties, stating that they had maintained good relation among themselves.
“Even though the counting process went on smoothly, different procedures at times were inefficient and unnecessarily slow," it said.
It suggested to clarify the EVM counting procedures and said added training to the staffers and party representatives to ensure a smooth counting process was necessary.
The centre also urged the government to reconsider the practice of counting of votes only at the centres of the districts as it presented logistical and administrative problems which delayed the counting process.
Woman burnt alive for alleged kidnap attempt
nepalnews.com
april 13 2009
A 40-year-old woman was burned to death for an alleged kidnap attempt in Dhanusha district on Sunday.
Reports quoted a district police official as saying that locals in a village in the southern plain district beat the woman and then burnt her to death after catching her trying to take away a child.
A number of children had been lost in the area previously, which, locals and police blame, is the work of an organized criminal gang involved in human organ transplant scam.
Police haven't been able to identify the deceased woman and say they are still investigating the incident.
CA amends Calendar of Events
Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, April 13
A meeting of the Constituent Assembly (CA) amended the calendar of events for constitution-drafting.
The 26th CA sitting endorsed the amended calendar of events with the previously finalised date for the formulation of new constitution, i.e. 28 May 2010.
As per the amendment, the fifth Winter House Session has been extended by a month.
The previous version provides that the Winter Session should conclude by mid-April.
This is the second time the calendar of events has been amended.
Likewise, the CA reshuffled the lawmakers in its Working Management Consultation Committee.
The committee prepared and tabled the new calendar of events before the CA.
CA Chairman Subash Chandra Nemwang announced that a CA seat has been vacant after the death of Nepali Congress lawmaker Bodh Narayan Sardar.
Interview with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal
Nepali Times: Issue #446 (10 APRIL 2009 - 16 APRIL 2009)
In this interview with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal printed in the Wednesday edition of the Finnish newsmagazine, Suomen Kuvalehti, Katri Merikallio asks him about his commitment to democracy, the free press and the future of the peace process.