President Paudel Approves Contentious Citizenship Bill

President Ram Chandra Paudel has assented the much-contested Citizenship Bill on Wednesday.

Earlier on Jestha 12, claiming that the erstwhile President Bidya Devi Bhandari had put a hold on the Citizenship Bill contrary to the constitutional principles, the government had requested incumbent President Paudel for approval.

President Paudel has approved the Citizenship Bill in accordance with articles 61 and 66 of the Constitution.

The Federal Parliament had passed the bill back in Shrawan, 2079. However, the then President Bhandari had reverted the bill to the House of Representatives.

Later, both houses of the federal parliament including the National Assembly (NA) and HoR, had approved the bill without objection. Former Speaker of the House Agni Sapkota had referred the bill for further verification by former President Bhandari on Bhadra 20.

In line with the existing legal provision President Bhandari was to approve the bill within 15 days (i.e., by Asoj 05) as per Article 113 (4) of the Constitution. However, the officials of the President's Office held the bill and had remained mum into the matter.

Recently, the new President Ram Chandra Paudel assumed office on Falgun 29, 2079. Following the appointment, the ruling coalition govt moved ahead to pursue the approval of the pending citizenship bill. In line with the suggestion of the legal experts, it was understood that the new President could intervene to pass the citizenship bill.

A meeting of the Council of Ministers held on Jestha 12 decided to seek approval from President Paudel for the delayed bill. In accordance with the recommendation of the Council of Ministers and Article 61 (2),(3), (4) and Article 66 along with the principle enunciated by the Supreme Court, the pending, much-contested, Citizenship Bill has been approved by President Ram Chandra Paudel.