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Calendar for constitution writing determined, new constitution by May, 2010

The Constituent Assembly has formally entered into the process of drafting the new constitution.

The passage of the detailed schedule of drafting procedures by a CA meeting on Sunday marked the formal beginning of the constitution-making process. As per the schedule, the new constitution would be ready by May 2010.

Earlier Sunday, a meeting of the 'CA work procedures advisory committee' had endorsed the schedules with minor amendments.

According to the schedule, the election to the post of vice-chairman of the Constituent Assembly will take place on November 28.

As per the approved schedule, the various subject committees will be formed by mid-December and their action plans will be ready by the end of December.

The collection of public opinion on concept papers will be carried out till February 26, 2009 based on which a preliminary draft will be prepared by April 23. The CA will then discuss preliminary draft till May 14.

The committee on constitution will table its first draft at the CA by September 10. The general public will be asked to share their views on the draft till December 10 of 2009.

The CA will again discuss the public feedback from January 7 to 10, 2010. They will revise the draft by January 22 and hold discussion on Bill on Constitution till April 28.

The new constitution will then be finalised by May 28, 2010. A formal ceremony will be held while promulgating the new constitution. nepalnews.com Nov 16 08