No delay to provide citizenship to NRNs: Oli

CPN (UML) KP Sharma Oli has said there should be no delay to provide citizenship with economic, social and cultural rights to the Non-Resident Nepalis. "There should not be any delay to provide citizenship to the NRNs. We will resolve this issue after election. Citizenship will be issued to NRNs immediately," he pledged.

Concluding the Non-Resident Nepali Day celebrations and annual general meeting of Non-Resident Nepali Association in Kathmandu on Wednesday, he argued that although the government led by him had tried to take ahead the citizenship bill to provide citizenship to NRNs but was unable to realize it due to decision of some ruling partners.

"Demand of NRNs is natural. We have been supporting it", mentioned Chair Oli. Also the former Prime Minister, Oli said, "An environment conducive will be created for NRNs to invest in Nepal. Process for the investment will be simplified."

Stating that the Election Commission has been making initiatives to make arrangement of voting to migrant Nepalis wherever they are, he added that he was determined Nepalis should get opportunity to use their voting right wherever they are.

Chair Oli lauded the role played by NRNs during earthquake, blockade and corona pandemic.

Founder Chairperson of NRNA, Dr Upendra Mahato shared that NRNs have been showing their ability and capacity to enrich the motherland. He further said that the government and political parties should create friendly environment for Nepalis residing abroad to invest in Nepal.

Saying NRNs have been representing Nepal abroad, NRNA President Dr Badri KC opined that citizenship should be provided to NRNs even by bringing an ordinance for the same.

Another President of NRNA, Kul Acharya, expressed the view that NRNs have been taking initiative as the true partner for the prosperity of their motherland.

Likewise, UML leader Dr Surya Pathak and Nepali Congress central committee member Umesh Jung Rayamajhi also expressed their views.

The two-day AGM concluded today with a 10-point Kathmandu Declaration. Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba had inaugurated the AGM where different working papers were presented.