South Asian News Network

Kathmandu, Sept 19: Prime Minister Balendra Shah has said the government is fully committed to upholding the Constitution to its letter and spirit. During his address to a special ceremony held to mark the Constitution Day at Tundikhel this morning, the Prime Minister pledged that the government would deliver fully in accordance with the Constitution which, he said, was achieved through sacrifices of martyrs. “I reaffirm that we are fully committed to upholding the Constitution and its implementation,” the Head of the Government said. The Constitution Day comes each year, but we are ourselves responsible for bringing about the Day when the Constitution is fully implemented through our decisions, integrity, transparency, accountable delivery, fair appointments, and the services that reach doorsteps of every citizen, according to the Prime Minister. Stating that good governance, development, prosperity and social justice are the aspirations of citizens, he said the government’s each step is, and will remain, directed towards realising these very aspirations. The Prime Minister further termed competitive multi-party democracy; human rights and the rule of law as not merely conditions for the country, but the foundations of national life. “This Constitution has made one promise before the Nepali citizen that is building of an equitable society based on unity amidst diversity, an end to all forms of discrimination, on development, prosperity and social justice,” he said. He was of the view that no matter how beautiful and progressive the Constitution is, it can merely turn to be a sheet of paper if the hands entrusted to implement it are not honest and unrelentingly active. “I say it unequivocally; it is just the beginning, not the end. The roots of corruption and impunity are deep rooted. But the hands determined to uproot those roots are now even stronger and far more numerous. The government is aware of the fact that good governance is an essential prerequisite for development. To ensure good governance, the incumbent government has adopted measures, including right-sizing of the administrative machinery, maintaining zero tolerance against corruption, ensuring political neutrality in bureaucracy, and adopting a merit-based appointment process for government and public portfolios,” the Prime Minister added. In order to keep good governance, the incumbent government has adopted measures, including right-sizing of the administrative machinery, zero tolerance against corruption, political neutrality to bureaucracy and adopting a merit-based appointment process for government and public positions. “Good governance is not a slogan, it is a duty, and we are undertaking it. The federal government is committed to achieving the shared goal of national development based on cooperation, coexistence, and coordination among the federal, provincial, and local levels,” he said. Prime Minister Shah emphasized that the government shall not just walk through the old path, but work to promote innovation and entrepreneurship and creation of a knowledge-based economy by integrating artificial intelligence, digital technology and cyber security. Citing national digital infrastructure under the Digital Governance Action Plan as its foundation, the Prime Minister expressed the commitment that the good governance demanded by the youth on the streets will also be ensured through technology. Prime Minister Shah expressed gratitude to all friendly nations, international community and organizations, private sector, civil servants, citizens, and the people of the country who assisted in disaster management and rescue during this special moment, noting that the loss and damage caused by the Bhotekoshi flood were unimaginable and irreparable for us.” “Mere extending gratitude is not enough. Nepal is in the list of countries with high disaster risk and vulnerabilities in the world. We will face this reality not after a disaster occurs, but before it happens. Special emphasis will be laid on risk reduction, preparedness, and response. The disaster early warning system will be implemented as a top priority,” he said. Prime Minister Shah paid heartfelt tributes to all known and unknown martyrs who sacrificed their lives in movements demanding changes in Nepal’s political system and good governance. He also extended warm respect to the Gen Z governance warriors who sacrificed their lives in the historic Gen Z movement. The Prime Minister expressed condolences to all Nepalis and foreign citizens who lost their lives in the Bhotekoshi floods, extended sympathies to their families, and wished for the speedy recovery of those injured. —