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Referendum favoured on Nepal monarchy

Ameet Dhakal

Draft statute panel gives options on issues

KATHMANDU: The Interim Constitution Drafting Committee on Friday submitted the draft of the statute to the Government and Maoist negotiations teams.

The interim statute has proposed a referendum during the election to the constituent assembly to decide the fate of the monarchy. It wanted the bicameral system of parliament scrapped for an interim period and said there should only be a single House. Similarly, it wanted the post of Speaker and Deputy Speaker replaced with a Chairman and Vice-Chairman.

It suggested expansion of the fundamental rights of the people. Merger of the two armies (state army and the Maoists army) after the constituent assembly elections was also proposed.

Committee Chairman Laxman Prasad Aryal handed over the draft to Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula and Maoist Chief Negotiator Krishna Bahadur Mahara.

Mr. Sitaula said "we will soon convene summit talks between the top leaders and give final shape to the statute." Mr. Mahara said the differences would be sorted out.

Since the Seven Party Alliance (SPA) and the Maoists could not agree on key issues to be included in the draft statute, the committee has given various options for contentious issues.

Differences remain on four key issues: What should be the status of the monarchy in the interim period? What should be the process and modality of the constituent assembly? What will function as the interim legislative body? Who will promulgate the interim statute?

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