Participants in the discussion emphasized the need to protect the strengths of the constitution and end practical complications.
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The 'Constitution Amendment Drafting Task Force' formed under the coordination of Prime Minister Balendra Shah's political advisor Asim Shah held discussions with senior advocates and lawyers today. The task force has intensified the collection of expert opinions with the aim of preparing a concrete draft incorporating the experience gained in a decade of constitution implementation, challenges seen, and public demand.
In today's discussion, the participants emphasized the need to protect the strong aspects of the constitution and end practical complications.
Senior advocate Chandrakant Gyawali was of the opinion that to make federalism more effective, the provinces should not be abolished, but rather they should be empowered and strengthened. He pointed out the need to fully implement the issue of inclusiveness. Similarly, senior advocate Dhruv Lal Shrestha suggested a balanced distribution of executive powers, realizing the need for some changes in the form of governance. Senior Advocate Baburam Kunwar suggested that the constitution should be amended to completely ban political appointments in constitutional and administrative bodies. Senior Advocate Khimlal Devkota, praising the homework being done by the task force, proposed that only experts should be appointed to ministerial posts. Senior Advocate Prof. Dr. Dnyaneshwor Parajuli also emphasized on strengthening the provinces. Similarly, Advocate Mohana Ansari had put forward a new concept of an 'umbrella commission' to increase the efficiency of constitutional commissions.
Advocate Ansari said that the fundamental rights of the constitution should not be exercised, but rather some rights should be added. During the dialogue, Senior Advocate Ram Narayan Bidari clarified the inevitability of amending the constitution. Advocate Anjita Khanal suggested that we move forward according to the essence of the inclusive principle. Advocate Khanal opined that the arrangement of having a single person as the chairman of the Judicial Service Commission and the Judicial Council should be reconsidered and that the proportional election system should be improved. Senior Advocate Dr. Dinmani Pokharel, on the other hand, warned the task force not to affect the basic structure of the constitution while amending it.
Task force coordinator Asim Shah expressed confidence that the suggestions received from senior advocates and lawyers have been taken seriously and that it will help make the debate paper to be prepared in the coming days more objective, practical and enriching. He said that this intensive consultation of experts has prepared a strong foundation to link the constitution with the aspirations of the people and the needs of the country. He informed that the task force is also collecting written suggestions from all stakeholders without any delay.
