By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Sept. 20: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that the country’s constitution was an inclusive and dynamic document which could be amended if anyone feels it has compromised their rights.
Addressing a special ceremony organised at the Tundikhel on the occasion of sixth Constitution Day and the National Day on Saturday, the Prime Minister said the government was always prepared to correct or amend any ambiguity, if any.
“On the 6th of June this year, the parliament unanimously decided on the matters pertaining to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. The country’s constitution has achieved complete acceptability through the amendment of the coat of arms,” said PM Oli.
Any shortcoming which might have remained in the governance system can be addressed in the days to come, said he said.
“The government is operating under a new governance system formed by the constitution written by the representatives elected by the people. We can fix the potholes, if there are any,” said the PM.
However, creating hindrances in the governance system knowingly instead of improving the system cannot be justified in any way, he added.
Good governance and transparency are a must for the development, said PM Oli, adding that controlling the abuse of authority, corruption and irregularities was equally challenging.
“I will not involve in corruption and will not let others engage in it either. Our presence in the government is to fulfil the people’s aspiration of rapid development,” he assured.
Stating that the Constitution day this year is being observed within the limitations set by the pandemic, PM Oli said had there not been the coronavirus pandemic, today there would have been discussion on the accomplishment of many of the works promised last year.
“Over 60,000 people have been infected with COVID-19 and the pandemic has taken toll of over four hundred persons within the country and several hundred Nepali compatriots working in foreign countries,” he said.
“The COVID-19 is a crisis that suddenly emerged. No country in the world was prepared to face it. Neither was Nepal,” said the PM.
“However, the government not only had taken this pandemic as a challenge but also has utilised it as an opportunity and implemented the plan to strengthen health infrastructure all over the country,” he said.
“The ICU capacity has been increased to 2,600 beds from 1,551 and ventilators have been raised to 900 from 770; the scope of the COVID-19 testing has been expanded with 33 government and 14 private laboratories conducting the COVID-19 tests,” he said.
The daily testing capacity is above 23,500 samples, while the testing cost of the COVID-19 has been reduced from Rs. 8,500 per sample to Rs. 2,000. The PCR testing rate has crossed 30,000 per million population.
The hospital capacity has been expanded and arrangements have been made to build five-bed hospitals at the remaining 649 local levels.
Necessary infrastructure, medical logistics, human and financial resources have been arranged for the provincial governments and hospitals and preparation for mobilization of 100 post-graduate doctors under the Ministry of Health has been completed, said PM Oli.
Stating that COVID-19 has negatively impacted Nepali economy, he said despite six

months of disruption in the economic activities, all indicators of the economy, except economic growth rate, were positive and the country’s growth rate was still in positive zone.
Stating that free press was
the voice of democracy, which strengthened democracy and reinforced democratic culture,

PM Oli asked the media to remain committed to protecting people’s right to true information.
The function was attended by President Bidya Bhandari, Vice-President Nanda Bahadur Pun and high-ranking government officials.
Similarly, the honours, decorations and awards including the Suprasiddha Prabal Janasewa Shree (first class) Award were announced on the occasion of the Constitution Day-2020.
The government has announced to honour ophthalmologist Dr. Sanduk Ruit, with the Suprasiddha Prabal Janasewa Shree (first class).
Five years have passed since the nation promulgated the new constitution through the historic Constituent Assembly on September 20, 2015. With this, Nepal shifted to a federal democratic system from a unitary one.
Meanwhile, Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ also extended his greetings on the occasion through a video streamed on Facebook.
Dahal called the drafting of the constitution by the Constituent Assembly ‘an important historic moment’.
“We are currently in the process of implementing the sentiments, spirit and values enshrined in this constitution,” he said and added that the process was expected to create a society free from discrimination, strengthen national unity and dignity and lead to citizens’ prosperity.
Sher Bahadur Deuba, president of the main opposition party Nepali Congress (NC), said that the constitution which was drafted by people’s representatives and issued under NC’s leadership guaranteed rights to everybody.
He also recalled the roles played by former Congress presidents Girija Prasad Koirala and Sushil Koirala in establishing peace and making the constitution respectively and his role in holding elections for all three levels of governments.
“But the NCP government has been centralising power, enacting laws that go against the spirit of the constitution and is growing intolerant of dissent. So, I appeal to the Prime Minister and the government to be faithful in its behaviour as per our democratic constitution,” Deuba said.