The Upper House of Nepal's Parliament will today vote on a constitution amendment Bill seeking approval for the country’s new map that includes territories with India.

India-Nepal border row: Nepal's upper house to vote on Map bill

Nepal's National Assembly has unanimously passed the Constitution Amendment Bill on Thursday. The bill will update Nepal's political and administrative map incorporating three Indian territories.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/lower-house-of-nepal-parliament-unanimously-passes-bill-to-back-new-controversial-map-305625" hreflang="en">Lower House of Nepal Parliament unanimously passes bill to back new controversial map</a>

Earlier, the Lower House of Nepal's Parliament on June 13 unanimously voted to amend the Constitution to update the country's new political map, laying claim over the strategically key areas of Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura along the border with India. The Indian government termed it as untenable the "artificial enlargement" of territorial claims by Nepal.&nbsp;

All 57 members of the Upper House voted in favour of the bill.&nbsp;

The ties between India and Nepal came under strain after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated an 80-km-long strategically crucial road connecting the Lipulekh pass with Dharchula in Uttarakhand on May 8.

Nepal reacted sharply to the inauguration of the road claiming that it passed through Nepalese territory. India rejected the claim asserting that the road lies completely within its territory.

Nepal last month released the revised political and administrative map of the country laying claim over the strategically key areas. India has been maintaining that these three areas belonged to it.

New Nepal map Amendment bill&nbsp;will become a law once Nepali President gives her assent.

Nepal's National Assembly has unanimously passed the Constitution Amendment Bill on Thursday. The bill will update Nepal's political and administrative map incorporating three Indian territories.

Nepal's National Assembly has unanimously passed the Constitution Amendment Bill on Thursday. The bill will update Nepal's political and administrative map incorporating three Indian territories. Also read: Lower House of Nepal Parliament unanimously passes bill to back new controversial map Earlier, the Lower House of Nepal's Parliament on June 13 unanimously voted to amend the Constitution to update the country's new political map, laying claim over the strategically key areas of Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura along the border with India. The Indian government termed it as untenable the "artificial enlargement" of territorial claims by Nepal. All 57 members of the Upper House voted in favour of the bill. The ties between India and Nepal came under strain after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated an 80-km-long strategically crucial road connecting the Lipulekh pass with Dharchula in Uttarakhand on May 8. Nepal reacted sharply to the inauguration of the road claiming that it passed through Nepalese territory. India rejected the claim asserting that the road lies completely within its territory. Nepal last month released the revised political and administrative map of the country laying claim over the strategically key areas. India has been maintaining that these three areas belonged to it. New Nepal map Amendment bill will become a law once Nepali President gives her assent.

Nepal's Upper House passes bill to update map that includes Indian territories

Nepal parliament has delayed taking up the constitutional amendment for the Nepal Map that was to be taken up by the House of Representative. The recently released new Nepal Map, which shows Indian territories as its territories, can get legal backing only after the constitution is amended.

Nepal parliament has delayed taking up the constitutional amendment for the Nepal Map that was to be taken up by the House of Representative. The recently released new Nepal Map, which shows Indian territories as its territories, can get legal backing only after the constitution is amended. No reason has been given why Constitution Amendment Bill for Nepal Map was removed from Nepal's House of Representatives agenda. The initiative was taken by the government with the opposition Nepal Congress yet to endorse it in its central committee meeting. "The decision on the amendment to update the map will be made at the forthcoming Central Working Committee meeting. We requested that amendment be put on hold for time being," Krishna Prasad Situala of Nepali Congress was quoted as saying by Kathmandu Post. Nepal Law Minister Dr. Shivamaya Tumbahangphe was to present the 'Constitution of Nepal Second Amendment Bill 2077' in Wednesday's meet of the Parliament. The Nepali government last week issued a new, controversial map of the country which showed Indian territories of Lipulekh, Kalapani, Limpiyadhura as its own. Earlier this month Nepali President addressing the joint session of the Parliament said the new maps of the country will be published that will show all areas it considers its own. The ongoing dispute is not new and dates back to 1816 when under the Treaty of Sugauli, King of Nepal lost parts of its territory to British including Kalapani and Lipulekh. The development comes even as Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli has said increase in a number of COVID-19 cases in the country is due to unchecked inflow of people from India.

Nepal Parliament delays taking up constitutional amendment for controversial new map

The Congress and other opposition parties on Wednesday strongly protested in the Rajya Sabha and demanded the sending of the 'The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty- Four Amendment) Bill, 2019' to a select committee, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/i-hope-bill-providing-10-per-cent-quota-for-poor-in-jobs-and-education-is-passed-in-rajya-sabha-pm-modi-189170">after the government introduced the key legislation</a>.

The bill, that seeks to provide 10 per cent reservation in jobs and educational institutions to economically weaker sections in the general category, was introduced by Minister for Social Welfare and Empowerment Thaawar Chand Gehlot amid the din due to protests by opposition members.

The Congress, DMK, RJD and Aam Aadmi Party were in the well of the house and continued to raise slogans against the government.

Sensing the mood, Deputy Chairman Harivansh adjourned the house till 2 PM while the discussion on the bill was on.

DMK member Kanomozhi demanded to send the Constitution amendment bill to a select committee for further scrutiny and sought division on her motion.

Her demand was supported by members of some parties including D Raja (CPI), with Congress also asking the deputy chairman to take up her plea first and allow division on her motion.

But, deputy chairman Harivansh said it will only be taken up after the discussion, prompting the opposition members to raise further slogans. 
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Goel accused the opposition of seeking to stall the passage of the bill that has been brought for the welfare of the poor.

This was strongly opposed, with Congress member Anand Sharma saying his party supported the bill, and Manoj Jha (RJD) stating the charge was incorrect and that the bill was "interference with the basic structure of the Constitution".

Sharma alleged that Goel has not done justice by making the charge as the Congress was in favour of the bill but had issues with the manner in which it was brought.

After the deputy chairman allowed the minister to move the bill amid the din, he heard various members raising points of order, but refrained from giving any ruling.

Congress member Madhusudan Mistry raised a point of order saying the bill was incomplete as the statement of objectives were not there. 
He asked what was the urgency of the government in bringing this bill in such haste.

The deputy chairman said Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu had already granted a two-day exemption for introducing the bill and the same should be taken up.

The government Wednesday introduced in Rajya Sabha legislation to give 10 per cent quota in state jobs and educational institutions for upper caste poor.

Social Justice minister Gehlot said 'The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Four Amendment) Bill 2019 is a historic bill and a step brought to ensure equal opportunities for the poor in the general category.

He said previous governments have attempted to bring such a step but their actions have been struck down by the court as there was no such provision made in the Constitution.

Gehlot said it was under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government that this bill was brought to make such a provision for reservation for economically weaker sections.

"This decision has not been taken in haste. It is brought with good intention keeping in view the welfare of the poor in general category people," the minister said.

Seeking passage of the bill, Gehlot said this day will be remembered as an important one when crores of poor will benefit from this legislation that seeks to ensure equality and social harmony in the country.

The Congress members earlier also raised slogans over the citizenship amendment bill.

The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on Tuesday and was brought to the Upper House after the sitting of the House was extended by a day.

Congress members, including Ripun Bora, wanted Home Minister Rajnath Singh to be called to the House to make a statement on the citizenship bill that seeks to provide Indian citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

Goel said the same could be done at 2 PM.

The Congress and other opposition parties on Wednesday strongly protested in the Rajya Sabha and demanded the sending of the 'The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty- Four Amendment) Bill, 2019' to a select committee, after the government introduced the key legislation.

The Congress and other opposition parties on Wednesday strongly protested in the Rajya Sabha and demanded the sending of the 'The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty- Four Amendment) Bill, 2019' to a select committee, after the government introduced the key legislation. The bill, that seeks to provide 10 per cent reservation in jobs and educational institutions to economically weaker sections in the general category, was introduced by Minister for Social Welfare and Empowerment Thaawar Chand Gehlot amid the din due to protests by opposition members. The Congress, DMK, RJD and Aam Aadmi Party were in the well of the house and continued to raise slogans against the government. Sensing the mood, Deputy Chairman Harivansh adjourned the house till 2 PM while the discussion on the bill was on. DMK member Kanomozhi demanded to send the Constitution amendment bill to a select committee for further scrutiny and sought division on her motion. Her demand was supported by members of some parties including D Raja (CPI), with Congress also asking the deputy chairman to take up her plea first and allow division on her motion. But, deputy chairman Harivansh said it will only be taken up after the discussion, prompting the opposition members to raise further slogans. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Goel accused the opposition of seeking to stall the passage of the bill that has been brought for the welfare of the poor. This was strongly opposed, with Congress member Anand Sharma saying his party supported the bill, and Manoj Jha (RJD) stating the charge was incorrect and that the bill was "interference with the basic structure of the Constitution". Sharma alleged that Goel has not done justice by making the charge as the Congress was in favour of the bill but had issues with the manner in which it was brought. After the deputy chairman allowed the minister to move the bill amid the din, he heard various members raising points of order, but refrained from giving any ruling. Congress member Madhusudan Mistry raised a point of order saying the bill was incomplete as the statement of objectives were not there. He asked what was the urgency of the government in bringing this bill in such haste. The deputy chairman said Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu had already granted a two-day exemption for introducing the bill and the same should be taken up. The government Wednesday introduced in Rajya Sabha legislation to give 10 per cent quota in state jobs and educational institutions for upper caste poor. Social Justice minister Gehlot said 'The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Four Amendment) Bill 2019 is a historic bill and a step brought to ensure equal opportunities for the poor in the general category. He said previous governments have attempted to bring such a step but their actions have been struck down by the court as there was no such provision made in the Constitution. Gehlot said it was under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government that this bill was brought to make such a provision for reservation for economically weaker sections. "This decision has not been taken in haste. It is brought with good intention keeping in view the welfare of the poor in general category people," the minister said. Seeking passage of the bill, Gehlot said this day will be remembered as an important one when crores of poor will benefit from this legislation that seeks to ensure equality and social harmony in the country. The Congress members earlier also raised slogans over the citizenship amendment bill. The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on Tuesday and was brought to the Upper House after the sitting of the House was extended by a day. Congress members, including Ripun Bora, wanted Home Minister Rajnath Singh to be called to the House to make a statement on the citizenship bill that seeks to provide Indian citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Goel said the same could be done at 2 PM.

10% quota for poor: Congress, others protest as govt introduces bill in Rajya Sabha