Explainers
2 MIN READ
A refresher on what laws are being discussed in the national legislature.
The Advertisement Regulation Bill has been endorsed by the federal parliament’s Development and Technology Committee despite protests from outlets. The bill proposes a jail sentence of up to a year, a fine of up to NRs 1 lakh, or both, for media owners convicted for advertisement-related offense, specifically if they broadcast or publish “offensive advertising” that includes false information, banned content, or comparisons to other products. Following protests by media houses and advertisers, the National Assembly agreed to soften its earlier proposal of fines up to NRs 5 lakh and jail time of up to five years.
The Media Council Bill is likely to be forwarded to the National Assembly for deliberation this week, on August 29, before it is presented for endorsement. The Federation of Nepali Journalists and other media organizations have criticized the bill, arguing that the harsh penalties in it are aimed at censoring the media and curtailing its freedom. The bill, which is to replace the Press Council Act 2048 [1992], proposes fines of up to NRs 1 million if any houses, publisher, editor or journalist is found to have published news “tarnishing the image” of any individual. Prime Minister KP Oli and Minister for Communication, Information and Technology Gokul Baskota reportedly agreed to amend some of the sources of concern, but it is not clear what changes have been made.
The Police Personnel Adjustment Bill and Bill to Govern the Process of Operation, two bills that deal with the adjustment of police forces in the federal system, were unanimously endorsed by the House of Representatives on August 11. The bills laid the groundwork for the transfer of police personnel from the centre to the states, stating that police officials opting for adjustment at the state level would be awarded two additional grades and benefits equal to that of their current posts. On August 25, two groups from the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) and opposition Nepali Congress registered separate amendment proposals, seeking the addition of a provision on inclusiveness in police hiring in the states and provisions for promotion for personnel instead of just the awarding of grades respectively.
The central government is planning to transfer around 55,000 police personnel to seven states while retaining around 20,000 police personnel at the centre.
Even as the major parties rush to endorse some controversial laws, other critically important bills remain stuck in parliament, due to objections from either the opposition, members of the ruling coalition or even disagreements within the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP). These include, the Citizenship Bill, the Public Service Commission Bill, the Bill on National Priority Projects, the Peace and Security Bill, the National Human Rights Commission Bill, and the National Security Bill.
The new citizenship bill has been stuck at the parliamentary State Affairs and Good Governance Committee for a year. Thousands of people mainly the children of citizens by birth are waiting, unable to get citizenship certificates.
The Record We are an independent digital publication based in Kathmandu, Nepal. Our stories examine politics, the economy, society, and culture. We look into events both current and past, offering depth, analysis, and perspective. Explore our features, explainers, long reads, multimedia stories, and podcasts. There’s something here for everyone.
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Perspectives
22 min read
Throughout Nepali history, the brutality of the caste system has stunted social transformation
Explainers
6 min read
Unification throws party ideals into question, once again
Perspectives
8 min read
Nepal will be inviting FDI in agriculture, when it is India’s involvement of corporate interests in its agriculture sector that has led to massive protests.
Features
7 min read
With formal hearings at the Supreme Court regarding the constitutionality of Oli’s dissolution of the House beginning, The Record spoke to the writers of the statute for their take on possible interpretations.
Features
2 min read
The government is proposing sweeping legislative changes that curtail constitutional rights and consolidate power. Here's a refresher on what is at stake.
Explainers
Week in Politics
4 min read
The week in politics: what happened, what does it mean, why does it matter
Perspectives
9 min read
The party will probably remain together if only because the costs of splitting far outweigh the benefits
Features
10 min read
Even as rights bodies continue to call out the Nepal government for its atrocities and lack of action in human rights cases, it continues with its culture of impunity