Govt. to present new citizenship Bill in parliament

October 15, 2001
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Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba informed the lawmakers in the House of Representatives, Monday, that the government is going to present a new citizenship Bill in parliament, possibly in the next session, to solve the citizenship related problems.

Prime Minister Deuba said that the new Bill would be prepared and  presented in the House based on national consensus incorporating  suggestions and recommendations made by different citizenship problem related commissions, committees and task forces in the past.

Prime Minister’s decision to redraft the citizenship Bill comes following  the court decision declaring the earlier citizenship Bill as against the  spirit of the constitution. The previous session of the Lower House had  passed the Citizenship Bill which sparked heavy criticism from opposition parties.

When the Bill was sent to the Palace for King’s assent, His Majesty the late King Birendra sent the Bill to the Supreme Court seeking legal advice whether the Bill was compatible with the constitution. The Supreme Court gave its verdict that the Bill was against the constitution.

The provision to grant citizenship on the basis of birth in Nepal was the one that drew controversy. The Constitution states that only those whose parents are Nepali citizens can obtain citizenship.