Subash Chandra Nemwang, chairperson of the Constituent Assembly, launched the book 'Nepal: Design Options for the New Constitution' amidst a special gathering in Kathmandu on Wednesday.

Edited by constitutional expert, Dr. Bipin Adhikari, the book is based on resources pulled together at the international conference on dynamics of constitution making in Nepal in post-conflict scenario (Jan 15-17, 2010).

Chairman of the CA, Subash Nemwang, addressing the book launching ceremony.  (Photo courtesy:Nepal Constitution Foundation)

Speaking at the function, Nemwang said the book was a great endeavour. He said that the extended timeframe of the Constituent Assembly gives ample opportunity to the Constituent Assembly to 'utilise the perspective of international constitutional experts' whose comments on the draft constitutional documents are compiled in the book. Â

Nemwang also took the opportunity to point out that the major political parties must implement the consensus reached with each other on the mid-night of May 28 in its true letter and spirit. There is simply 'no alternative to it' to get the new constitution through the Constituent Assembly within the extended period, he said. Â

Following the launching of the book, chairman of the Constitutional Committee of the CA, Nilambar Acharya, emphasised that the Constitutional Committee, the principal drafting organ in the Assembly, will look into all comments and suggestions of international constitutional experts, human rights critiques and specialists of federalism and devolution of power included in this timely exercise. He also emphasised that the key contentious issues that the CA has been grappling with must be settled by major political parties as a policy decision. He expressed hope that it will help the CA to work more efficiently on the rest of the issues.    Â

Two international experts, Dr Jyoti Singhera and Dr Markus Brand, lauded the efforts of Nepal Constitution Foundation, Tribhuvan University Faculty of Law and Supreme Court Bar Association, in bringing out important international inputs for the constitutional making process.

The book comprises of papers by 25 international experts including Professor Cheryl Saunders, Professor Wiktor Osiatynski, Professor Theo Li-ann, Professor Rohan Edrisinha, Professor Wang Zhenmin, and Yash Pal Ghai, key note speeches of President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, CA Chairman Nemwang, Minister Dr Minendra Rijal and farewell speech by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal. nepalnews.com