‘Set academic criteria for lawmakers, ministers, PM, prez’
Related story
Tips for hearing tough feedback
KATHMANDU, July 21: The Constituent Assembly (CA)'s campaign of collecting feedback on the draft constitution saw overwhelming public participation across the country on Monday.
Members of the public and representatives from various walks of life participated in interactions in all the 240 constituencies and offered their inputs.
Some of the districts in Tarai and a few places in the hills witnessed minor scuffles between groups leading public hearings and dissident groups that have been protesting the ongoing constitution making process.
"The constitution would be beautiful only if we succeed in uniting people from all communities," said Hari Bhatta, a local Nepali Congress leader.
Most of the participants stressed on fixing academic qualification for lawmakers and ministers and to resolve remaining disputes related to citizenship and delineation of provinces.
Prime Minister Sushil Koirala visited Nepalgunj to listen the concerns of people in his home district Banke.
After attending the interaction, he urged one and all not to take their positions as a matter of prestige and be flexible to accept each other's proposals. He said there was no option other than finding a middle way solution and promulgating the new constitution as failing to do so would only lay the ground for fresh conflict. "Everyone can own the new constitution as it tries to accommodate the aspirations of people from Tarai, hills and mountains," he said.
The prime minister urged one and all to express their views frankly and not to instigate conflict just because all of their concerns cannot be accommodated in the new constitution.
Participants in several districts sought commitment from lawmakers and CA officials that their feedback would be used to improve the draft.
Former CA member Gyanendra Kumal asked leaders whether their feedback would be considered while preparing the final document.
"I was one of the lawmakers collecting public feedback in the first CA but the suggestions weren't utilized. Who will assure the public that their inputs will be considered this time around," Kumal asked former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai and other lawmakers who were attending the public hearings in Gorkha.
Such concerns were expressed by participants in several districts.
During the interaction in Gorkha, a large number of representatives mainly from UCPN (Maoist) insisted that the party lobby for directly-elected presidential system while cadres from UML lobbied for directly-elected prime ministerial system.
Bhattarai told them that the constitution can't meet aspirations of all the people since it is being prepared as a document of compromise among various political forces.
In several districts, the interactions saw overwhelming participation from major political parties and reiteration of partisan agendas.
In Pokhara, people hardly got a chance to air their views as members of political parties were speaking one after another.
Representatives of NC, UML, Maoist, Nepal Akhanda Party and dissident parties such Federal Socialist Party and Netra Bikram Chand-led Maoist party took most of the time. They were speaking strictly as per their respective party's official line.
In Rasuwa, participants suggested limiting the number of provinces to not more than four. They also were against ethnic-based federalism. Some participants demanded that the constitution ensure equal property and citizenship rights to daughters. They suggested that the state must ensure social security mainly to senior citizens.
In Sankhuwasabha district, participants stressed on setting academic qualifications for one to be eligible for the posts of lawmaker, speaker, prime minister and president.
In Ilam, 871 people registered their feedback at the district secretariat as of Monday afternoon. "Most of the people suggested that the new constitution should integrate the country rather than sow the seeds of division," Adhiraj Rai, an official from CA secretariat, told Republica. They suggested death penalty for those involved in rape and other heinous crimes.
Participants in Salyan and Rukum districts stressed on reducing the number of provinces. "Participants here in the districts have suggested having not more than five provinces," said local NC leader Ekraj DC. "People here want provinces that include parts of Tarai, hills and mountains."
Similar opinions were expressed in Rukum district as well.
In Rautahat district, several locals seemed keen to register their suggestions on the draft constitution so much so that even visually-impaired were seen giving their feedback.
Saroj Koshari of Gaur Municipality-8 was eager to give input in new constitution. He had planned to attend public hearings in constituency-1 of Rautahat district. Later, he had to visit Pharhadawa of constituency-2 as the gathering in constituency-1 was obstructed by protesters.
Undeterred Koshari reached Phardawa, 27 kilometers from Gaur, and registered his suggestions on the draft constitution.
-1200x560-1774606010.webp)
