A day after the lower house unanimously voted in favour of it, Nepal Parliament’s upper house on Sunday endorsed a proposal to discuss the Bill for approval of the new political map.
Kathmandu| On Sunday, Nepal fast-tracked the passage of a Constitution Amendment Bill to update the country’s map that now includes strategic locations in high mountains such as Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura claimed by India as its own.
A day after the lower house unanimously voted in favour of it, Nepal Parliament’s upper house on Sunday endorsed a proposal to discuss the Bill for approval of the new political map. While several members suggested having an early dialogue with India, many urged the government to “reclaim” the “encroached” territories.
In a move described by New Delhi as “not tenable”, Nepal’s ruling and opposition political parties voted on Saturday in unison to amend the constitution to update the national emblem by including in Nepal’s new political map, Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura, locations in India’s Uttarakhand.
On Saturday, out of 275 lawmakers in the House of Representatives, 258 present lawmakers voted in favour of the Constitution amendment bill.
The bill will now go to the national assembly. The passage is expected to be passed with no disruption as 50 out 59 members of the Upper House are from the ruling Nepal Communist Party. The opposition party members have also backed the amendment.
According to The Kathmandu Post, Rajendra Phuyal, secretary of the National Assembly Secretariat, tabled the bill at the first meeting of the upper house on Sunday.
Law Minister Shiva Maya Tumbahangphe tabled a proposal to consider the bill for discussions, claiming that it is a “rare and historic moment” for Nepal since Parliament is “solidly” behind the government in its attempt to reclaim territory currently under Indian “possession”.
As per the process, the national assembly will now give 72 hours to lawmakers to move amendments against the bill’s provisions, if they have any.
“We are making necessary preparations to endorse the bill within the next four days,” Phuyal said according to the paper.
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