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President Ram Chandra Paudel issued the Ordinance on Constitutional Council (Works, Duties, Rights and Procedures) (First Amendment), 2083 BS on Tuesday. 

The Office of the President stated that the President issued the ordinance today as per Article 114 (1) of the Constitution of Nepal on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah has made it clear that abolition of trade unions and party flags was aimed at making bureaucracy and academia clean, free and professional. 

"Banning party flags in schools and bureaucracy will not seize rights of students and employees, but strengthen professional freedoms," he said in a social media post today. 

PM Shah argued party politics in university and bureaucracy, deep rooted in the country for long, has ruined education and administration. So, the ouster of party flags strengthens rights and professional freedoms.

"Many journalists, leaders, activists, businessmen and the general public have been arguing for years that party-o-cracy ruined university study and bureaucracy. Such organizations have become 'sleeper cells' of political parties with brazen adversity to students and employees. Undue access over qualification and sycophancy over competence causes utter public distrust in the system itself,” PM Shah explained. 

It is not because Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is unable to form organizations in academia and bureaucracy from where it is wiping out ill politics, but it is entirely for quality enhancement in university and dignity of employees. "If RSP wants, it can easily form its organization in no time, but adding another organization does not bring reform as the past suggests," PM Shah, also the senior leader of RSP, reminded.  

According to him, the basis for transfers and promotions of civil employees should not be guided by party affiliation but on procedure, competence and delivery. "Our effort is entirely for creating opportunities for students to learn from teachers rather than from politics, and not from mobs of political leaders," he said, wishing employees not to run after leaders' protection but rule. 

He further reminded that students could learn politics but together with culture, thoughts and responsibility. The PM reminded the employees to be servants of citizens not of parties.

PM Shah, however, said the move of this government was not a fight against any party but an attempt to protect the system.

It is an attempt for a secure future where the country would not be under party control but on the path of institutional reform. “This is a move to free the education system and bureaucracy from the party's undue influence. We brought ordinances to remove such ills as per your wish.”

The PM also sought everyone's support and trust in such a bid. “We need your support and trust, for the change is not ensured with mere speeches but through decisions. We are in the government to deliver as per your wishes. Be sure, whatever we do, we do in favour of the Nepali people,” PM Shah added.

A constitution amendment task force is to hold discussions on Tuesday with former chiefs of constitutional bodies, former chief secretaries, foreign experts and administrators. 

The meeting is being organized as part of the preparation of a discussion paper on proposed constitutional amendment. 

The task force coordinated by Asim Shah, political advisor to Prime Minister Balendra Shah, has scheduled the discussions from 3 pm to 5 pm at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. 

Task force member secretary Leeladhar Subedi said that the discussions aim to gather input from experts in relevant sectors in regard with the matters of constitutional amendment. 

The April 23rd meeting of the task force decided to hold discussions with former senior officials including the administrative experts to collect their submissions on the given matters. 

Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle has stated that the government intends to present a budget that inspires hope. 

During his speech at the opening ceremony of the 60th Annual General Meeting of the FNCCI, Minister Wagle committed to fostering hope for the forthcoming fiscal year and positioning the private sector as a key driver of development. 

He emphasized the significance of the private sector in promoting economic growth, generating employment, and expanding investments. 

Minister Wagle disclosed that a strategic proposal aimed at safeguarding and enhancing the private sector has been submitted to the Cabinet. 

He noted that to realize the long-term objective of establishing an economy valued at approximately 100 billion dollars, the private sector will be essential. "The resources of the government are limited, yet private sector investment is crucial for economic expansion," he remarked. 

He pointed out that government spending constitutes only about 25 to 30 percent of the GDP, indicating that the remaining economic activities are predominantly managed by the private sector. 

"The initiative to repeal around two dozen laws that have obstructed economic advancement is underway," Minister Wagle stated, adding, "Furthermore, the tax system will be reformed to be more favorable to enterprises and investments by enhancing revenue administration." 

Minister Wagle affirmed that the government will implement policies aligned with the principles of a social market economy. 

He clarified that equitable income distribution will be achieved through education, healthcare, transportation, and social security, while simultaneously promoting innovation and mobility within the private sector.