NRN-UK organises interaction; NRNs reiterate demand for dual citizenship
Non Residential Nepalis (NRNs) have said the Nepal government should provide them dual citizenship and ensure proper environment for the NRNs to invest for the social and economic development of Nepal.
Speaking at an interaction programme, “Role of NRNs for the Economic and Social Development of Nepal” organised by the NRN National Coordination Committee, UK, Chairman of the NRN-UK, Ashok Shrestha, highlighted the activities of NRN and informed that the organisation would help find employment for NRNs.
He urged the leaders of Nepali political parties to work for the country and people rather than concentrating on partisan politics at a time when the country is passing through a difficult phase.
Shrestha also said the NRNs were willing to participate in the social and economic transformation of Nepal and urged the government to create conducive environment for NRNs to invest in the tourism sector for the economic progress of the country.
Joint coordinator of NRN-UK, Surendra Shrestha, said the NRN were demanding dual citizenship with the objective to contribute in the social and economic development of the country.
Addressing the programme, joint coordinator of the NRN Association International Committee and Chairman of Yeti Nepali Association, Chiranjivi Dhakal, called upon the Nepal government to immediately pass the NRN Bill from the parliament and initiate effort for resolving the issues of dual citizenship and the issue of Gurkhas.
Nepali Ambassador to UK Dipendra Pratap Bista said that the programme would be helpful in shaping up a ‘new Nepal’.
Speaking at the same programme, chairman of NRN International Coordination Committee, Dr. Upendra Mahato, said that remittance has given life to the ailing Nepali economy.
The NRNs, according to Mahato, have already invested US$300 million in Nepal. More than 1.4 million Nepalis are residing in different countries and NRN committees have been established in 26 countries, he informed.
Speaking at the programme, chairman of the Nepal-Britain Academic Council, Prof Dr. Surya Subedi, expressed concerns about what he called delay in generating power and positioning Nepal as a transit point between India and China.
Taking the ongoing peace talks in positive light, Dr. Subedi observed that unity between ruling seven-party alliance and Maoists for peace and economic development of the country seemed to be building up.
General secretary of the Federation of Indigenous Nationalities, Dr. Om Gurung, stressed that federal and inclusive state mechanism is necessary for the overall development of the country.
Presenting a working paper on the occasion, leader of People’s Front Nepal Sashi Shrestha said that was need of equal participation of women in all mechanisms of the state and added that social and economic development of the country is not possible without equal participation of women.
Speaking at the second session of the programme, youth leader of the Nepali Congress, Gagan Thapa said a new and prosperous Nepal was possible with the efforts from Nepali people rather than foreigners.
Stating that the Citizenship Bill tabled at the parliament is not complete, Dr. Minendra Rijal, a leader of Nepali Congress (Democratic), said the bill could be amended incorporating the demands of NRNs.
He expressed the view that the NRNs should be allowed to vote in the constituent assembly elections. The NRNs, he said, should invest in the reconstruction of post-conflict Nepal.
Maoist spokesperson and coordinator of the Maoist talks team, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, expressed commitment to help fulfill the demands of NRNs.
He further said that economic and social development of the country was not possible without the end of monarchy.
Mahara said party chairman Prachanda was supportive of the NRNs’ demand for dual citizenship.
Speaking at the same programme, standing committee member of CPN-UML, Pradip Nepal said that restoration of the peace was the prime agenda of the country at the moment.
End of monarchy is a must to end of feudal system and restore sustainable peace, Nepal said.
General Secretary of the Nepali Congress Ram Chandra Poudel said that as the parliament clipped the privileges of King, there is a need to decide the fate of monarchy through the constituent assembly.
Stating that the NC has no love for monarchy, Poudel urged Maoists to give up their love for arms.
There is no need for a Republican Front, as proposed by the Maoists, at the moment as the King has already been deprived of all powers, he said.
Poudel further said the NC was in favour of timely changes in the NRN Bill and dual citizenship to NRNs.
Chief Guest of the programme, speaker of the House of Representatives, Subash Chandra Nemwang, said the ruling seven-party alliance and Maoists were committed to take the peace talks to a logical conclusion. nepalnews.com pb Oct 26 06
