Pokhara, 6 June: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has called for the prompt passage of the amendment bill to the Nepal Citizenship Act, 2063, during the current session of the federal parliament. Speaking at a meeting of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee under the House of Representatives held at Singha Durbar on Friday, Minister Lekhak emphasized that the bill is crucial to resolving long-standing citizenship issues faced by many citizens, particularly youth.
Minister Lekhak explained that numerous young individuals in Nepal have been rendered stateless due to legal complications, and the proposed amendment aims to address these challenges inclusively. He stated that the bill would make it easier for children of citizens by birth to obtain citizenship and would also provide legal solutions in cases where fathers remain unidentified, particularly in instances involving children born abroad.
The Minister reiterated that the government is committed to resolving the citizenship crisis through legislative means and that the amendment reflects this intention. He also informed the committee that a draft bill concerning Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs) has already been prepared and is expected to be tabled soon.
Committee Chair Ramhari Khatiwada confirmed that discussions are ongoing to ensure the bill is passed within the ongoing parliamentary session. He added that the committee intends to hold consultations with Non-Resident Nepalis in the next meeting before advancing the legislation further.
The amendment bill, if passed, is expected to provide relief to a significant number of citizens who remain in limbo due to ambiguities in the existing law. The government’s move has been welcomed as a necessary step toward ensuring fundamental identity rights and establishing a more inclusive legal framework for citizenship in Nepal.
