UN welcomes Nepal charter deal

Agencies, Kathmandu: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the agreement of a new constitution for Nepal as “a major milestone” in the country's democratic development. In a statement issued yesterday, Ban applauded the “diligent effort and constructive leadership” demonstrated by Nepal's political leaders in reaching the agreement on Monday amid the country's wider reconstruction efforts following the devastating earthquakes of April and May.
Nepal's warring political parties reached a landmark 16-point deal on Monday to end years of deadlock over contentious issues of constitution-drafting, agreeing to a parliamentary system and eight provinces, in a rare show of unity following the devastating quakes. The deal was struck late at night with an aim to deliver a constitution within the next few months, according to NC sources.
Top leaders of the Nepali Congress (NC), CPN-UML, UCPN (Maoist) and Madhesi People's Rights Forum-Democratic (MPRF-D) agreed to adopt an 8-province federal model, parliamentary system of governance, mixed electoral model and include the provision of a constitutional court for 10 years in the new statute as part of a compromise deal.
A parliamentary system of governance will be adopted with a ceremonial president as the head of state and an executive prime minister as the head of government in the former kingdom, the agreement said. There will be a bicameral parliament at the centre with a 275-member lower house and a 45-member upper house, it added.
As per the historic deal, the task of delineating provinces will be entrusted to a federal commission, which will be formed soon for a six-month tenure.
After receiving commission’s report, a two-thirds majority of the concerned provincial assembly shall take final decision on delineating and naming its province.
Two strong quakes on April 25 and May 12 killed an estimated 8,500 people and affected some 5.6 million, half of whom have been displaced.

UN welcomes Nepal charter deal

Agencies, Kathmandu: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the agreement of a new constitution for Nepal as a major milestone in the countrys democratic development. In a statement issued yesterday, Ban applauded the diligent effort and constructive leadership demonstrated by Nepals political leaders in reaching the agreement on Monday amid the countrys wider reconstruction efforts following the devastating earthquakes of April and May. Nepals warring political parties reached a landmark 16-point deal on Monday to end years of deadlock over contentious issues of constitution-drafting, agreeing to a parliamentary system and eight provinces, in a rare show of unity following the devastating quakes. The deal was struck late at night with an aim to deliver a constitution within the next few months, according to NC sources. Top leaders of the Nepali Congress (NC), CPN-UML, UCPN (Maoist) and Madhesi Peoples Rights Forum-Democratic (MPRF-D) agreed to adopt an 8-province federal model, parliamentary system of governance, mixed electoral model and include the provision of a constitutional court for 10 years in the new statute as part of a compromise deal. A parliamentary system of governance will be adopted with a ceremonial president as the head of state and an executive prime minister as the head of government in the former kingdom, the agreement said. There will be a bicameral parliament at the centre with a 275-member lower house and a 45-member upper house, it added. As per the historic deal, the task of delineating provinces will be entrusted to a federal commission, which will be formed soon for a six-month tenure. After receiving commissions report, a two-thirds majority of the concerned provincial assembly shall take final decision on delineating and naming its province. Two strong quakes on April 25 and May 12 killed an estimated 8,500 people and affected some 5.6 million, half of whom have been displaced.