Kathmandu, Nepal, June 13, 2020: The constitution amendment bill presented by the government of Nepal in the House of Representatives (HoR) to amend Schedule 3 of the constitution to update the national coat of arms by incorporating Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani in Nepal’s map has been passed with overwhelming majority on Saturday.
Though two third majorities was required to pass the constitution (second amendment) bill 2077, all the lawmakers representing all the political parties voted in favor of the bill reflecting their unity on the issue of nationalism and patriotism.
The lawmakers from the opposition parties namely main opposition Nepali Congress (NC),Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal (RJP-N), Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) including the allies of the incumbent government including head Nepal Communist Party (NCP) voted in favor of the bill by following the due procedure in the HoR.
However, a RJP-N lawmaker Sarita Giri, the only lawmaker of the party and the parliament, who had registered separate bill opposing the government’s constitution amendment bill to amend Schedule 3 of the constitution to update the national coat of arms by incorporating Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani in Nepal’s map, was not present in the meeting.
With the endorsement of the bill from the HoR, it has to be forwarded to the upper house within seven days to pass the bill before endorsement from the head of state, President Bidya Devi Bhandari.
While delivering thoughts over the bill, almost all the lawmakers including Sher Bahadur Deuba, the president of the main opposition party, NC, reiterated their commitment on the issue of nationality and national unity.
The lawmakers have a common concern that the land included in the Nepal’s map has to be translated into practical form by retrieving it through the dialogue with India.
