President’s decision to return Bill within constitutional bounds: Deuba

KATHMANDU: The Nepali Congress (NC) held internal discussions after President Ramchandra Paudel returned a Bill to amend the Constitutional Council (Functions, Duties, Powers, and Procedures) Act, 2009.

NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba invited party general secretaries, office-bearers and senior leaders to his residence to discuss the President’s decision.

At the meeting, Deuba said that the President’s decision was constitutionally valid. “The President exercised the authority granted by the Constitution,” Deuba said. “The Nepali Congress views this move positively.”

President Paudel returned the Bill to the House of Representatives for reconsideration on Thursday, stating that it contradicts the spirit, intent and democratic values enshrined in the Constitution of Nepal, 2015.

According to President’s Press Advisor Kiran Pokharel, the Bill was returned as per Article 113(3) of the Constitution, which allows for further study, discussion, and analysis before final approval.

The Bill, which was endorsed by both houses of Parliament, was submitted to the Office of the President for authentication on July 15.