Amendment to Constitution, laws suggested to achieve SDGs

Kathmandu : The Sustainable Development and Good Governance Committee under the National Assembly has directed the government to unveil a plan of action for the amendment and revision of the laws that emerge as the obstacles to materialize the state’s commitment in regard to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Committee’s meeting held today concluded that Constitution, Acts and laws were obstacles to address the SDGs and suggested that they should be amended to make them compatible to structures, thoughts and perspectives. Committee’s Expert Constituent Assembly member Khimlal Devkota said that most of the laws were formulated prior to the promulgation of the new Constitution and they are not compatible to meet the SDGs. “It is necessary to amend the Constitution and laws in line with the SDGs and new perspective,” Devkota said. Devkota, who is also a senior advocate, said that laws play facilitating roles to advance development in an easy manner adding that the Committee should pay special attention in law making process.

On the occasion, Committee Chair Tara Devi Bhatta highlighted on the need for policy-level reforms and prosperity through the legal perspective. The Committee has conducted consultations with experts on parliamentary roles, multi-faceted persons and measures to resolve the issues surfaced in advancing the country towards development and good-governance. Likewise, Committee’s members said that the government and parliament should not delay in making Nepal’s constitution and laws development-friendly if the country was to achieve SDGs.

The Committee has also laid emphasis on keeping the state’s entire apparatus committed and proactive to ensure good governance and achieve UN SDGs by 2030.