BIRATNAGAR, Dec. 3: Minister for Home and Law and Justice Dharma Bahadur Thapa has said that in present context when all the parties and civil society have accepted law and order as a serious national problem a collective effort with a single approach should be made to resolve the problem.
Speaking at a programme organised by Reporters’ Club, Morang unit here today, Home Minister Thapa said security is a very sensitive issue and urged journalists not to write anything that could have an adverse affect on the security system.
Journalism is not a medium limited to criticising only, it should encourage individuals and society towards creative work and this could add to the developmental work of the nation, he added.
Responding to a query, the Home Minister said as article 128 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal provided for an interim period it became be defunct after completion of that period.
One cannot specify the exact number of days it would take to resolve the Maoist problem but elections will be held as soon as there is a favourable environment and for this all parties and civil society should assist, he added.
Minister Thapa said comments that the present Council of Ministers does not hold executive rights are wrong, and as the proviso signified by the wording “until other arrangements are made” in the Royal Address came to an end following Constitution of the cabinet the present cabinet does have executive powers.
Asking where the Constitution says that elections can be postponed, Thapa said it was the recommendation made to postpone elections that was an attack on constitutional practice.
Reporters’ Club Morang President Shekhar Regmi presided.
Meanwhile, Minister for Home and Law and Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Thapa has said that as our society today is facing problems of various kinds at two levels prominent figures of society have an important role in resolving such problems.
He was speaking at the international disabled day and orthopaedic implements distribution programme organised by the community-based rehabilitation programme here today.
Minister Thapa said social workers who donate money and time selflessly are a source of inspiration for society and wished contentment for such personalities.
CDO Dolakh Bahadur Gurung said the disabled are entitled to similar rights as the abled and lauded the efforts made by the rehabilitation programme.
District education officer Tanka Prasad Gautam, chairperson of the programme Bani Nepal and other speakers also expressed their views.