The bill to amend Nepal's political map in the coat of arms got a unanimous backing on Tuesday in the lower house of the Nepali Parliament. All parties including the ruling Nepal Communist Party, the largest opposition Nepali Congress and the third-largest Janata Samajbadi Party supported it.

The Nepali govt last month released a new map which showed Indian territories of Lipulekh, Kalapani, Limpiyadhura as its own. While that was an executive act, the changing of the coat of arms --which has Nepali Map needs to happen by amendment of the constitution.&nbsp;

Nepal foreign and defence minister both spoke in Nepal's lower house ahead of the discussions. Nepal's FM Pradeep Gyawali recalled the treaty of sanguli and while elaborating the current border row with India said, "would like to diplomatically resolve border row with India"

Under the treaty of Sanguli signed between Kathmandu and British Raj in 1800, India's border with Nepal in the eastern part is decided by river Kali, but towards its origin, the current issue remains.

The bill has got the backing and within 72 hours any MP has to raise objections. Once it gets 2/3rd majority after the 72 hours, it will be passed in the lower house.

Once passed, it will go to the upper house of the Nepali Parliament--the national assembly where the same procedure will be followed. After passage in the upper house and accent by the Nepali President, the law or the amendment will come into force giving constitutional backing to the Nepal Map which is at the heart of diplomatic row with India.

Nepal is keen for foreign secretary-level talks on the issue and while the Indian government has said it is open to talks but an "environment of trust and confidence" needs to be built.

The ministry of external affairs last week said, "India is open to engaging with all its neighbours on the basis of mutual sensitivity and mutual respect, in an environment of trust and confidence. This is a continuous process and requires constructive and positive efforts." MEA also said that it continues to "monitor the situation in Nepal"

The map row broke after India's defence minister inaugurated a road till Lipulekh which Nepal says is its own territory. It was followed by Nepal FM Pradeep Kumar Gyawali meeting Indian envoy to Nepal Vinay Mohan Kwatra and Nepali Foreign Ministery and ruling party Nepal Communist Party issued a strongly worded release protesting the new road built by India that will reduce the time for Indian pilgrims to go for Mansarovar Yatra in Tibet, China. It was followed by a protest by India who reminded Kathmandu that it is Indian territory.&nbsp;

The bill to amend Nepal's political map in the coat of arms got a unanimous backing on Tuesday in the lower house of the Nepali Parliament. All parties including the ruling Nepal Communist Party, the largest opposition Nepali Congress and the third-largest Janata Samajbadi Party supported it.

The bill to amend Nepal's political map in the coat of arms got a unanimous backing on Tuesday in the lower house of the Nepali Parliament. All parties including the ruling Nepal Communist Party, the largest opposition Nepali Congress and the third-largest Janata Samajbadi Party supported it. The Nepali govt last month released a new map which showed Indian territories of Lipulekh, Kalapani, Limpiyadhura as its own. While that was an executive act, the changing of the coat of arms --which has Nepali Map needs to happen by amendment of the constitution. Nepal foreign and defence minister both spoke in Nepal's lower house ahead of the discussions. Nepal's FM Pradeep Gyawali recalled the treaty of sanguli and while elaborating the current border row with India said, "would like to diplomatically resolve border row with India" Under the treaty of Sanguli signed between Kathmandu and British Raj in 1800, India's border with Nepal in the eastern part is decided by river Kali, but towards its origin, the current issue remains. The bill has got the backing and within 72 hours any MP has to raise objections. Once it gets 2/3rd majority after the 72 hours, it will be passed in the lower house. Once passed, it will go to the upper house of the Nepali Parliament--the national assembly where the same procedure will be followed. After passage in the upper house and accent by the Nepali President, the law or the amendment will come into force giving constitutional backing to the Nepal Map which is at the heart of diplomatic row with India. Nepal is keen for foreign secretary-level talks on the issue and while the Indian government has said it is open to talks but an "environment of trust and confidence" needs to be built. The ministry of external affairs last week said, "India is open to engaging with all its neighbours on the basis of mutual sensitivity and mutual respect, in an environment of trust and confidence. This is a continuous process and requires constructive and positive efforts." MEA also said that it continues to "monitor the situation in Nepal" The map row broke after India's defence minister inaugurated a road till Lipulekh which Nepal says is its own territory. It was followed by Nepal FM Pradeep Kumar Gyawali meeting Indian envoy to Nepal Vinay Mohan Kwatra and Nepali Foreign Ministery and ruling party Nepal Communist Party issued a strongly worded release protesting the new road built by India that will reduce the time for Indian pilgrims to go for Mansarovar Yatra in Tibet, China. It was followed by a protest by India who reminded Kathmandu that it is Indian territory.

Lower House of Nepali Parliament unanimously backs Map Amendment Bill

Nepal Law Minister Shiva Maya Tumbahamphe on Sunday tabled the new Nepal map constitutional amendment in Nepal's House of Representatives or Lower house of Nepali Parliament. &nbsp;

The constitutional amendment when passed by the Nepali Parliament and signed by the Nepali president will give constitutional backing to new map that shows Indian territories of as Nepal territories --Lipulekh, Kalapani, Limpiyadhura as its own.&nbsp;

The placing was delayed last week even as the Nepali Congress sought more time to discuss it within the party's central committee meeting. On Saturday, the Nepali Congress gave its official endorsement.&nbsp;

Nepal is keen for foreign secretary-level talks on the issue and while the Indian government has said it is open to talks but an "environment of trust and confidence" needs to be built.

Meanwhile, it's understood m that both Indian and Nepal&nbsp;are planning to get in touch with each other at the highest level soon.

The ministry of external affairs last week said, "India is open to engaging with all its neighbours on the basis of mutual sensitivity and mutual respect, in an environment of trust and confidence. This is a continuous process and requires constructive and positive efforts." MEA also said that it continues to "monitor the situation in Nepal"

The map row broke after India's defence minister inaugurated a road till Lipulekh which Nepal says is its own territory. It was followed by Nepal FM Pradeep Kumar Gyawali meeting Indian envoy to Nepal Vinay Mohan Kwatra and Nepali Foreign Ministery and ruling party Nepal Communist Party issued a strongly worded release protesting the new road built by India that will reduce the time for Indian pilgrims to go for Mansarovar Yatra in Tibet, China. It was followed by a protest by India who reminded Kathmandu that it is Indian territory.&nbsp;

What followed was Nepali President addressing the joint session of the Parliament saying the new maps of the country will be published that will show all areas it considers its own irking New Delhi. The MEA reacting to it and said, "This unilateral act is not based on historical facts and evidence" and "Such artificial enlargement of territorial claims will not be accepted by India."

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.&nbsp;

Nepal Law Minister Shiva Maya Tumbahamphe on Sunday tabled the new Nepal map constitutional amendment in Nepal's House of Representatives or Lower house of Nepali Parliament.

Nepal Law Minister Shiva Maya Tumbahamphe on Sunday tabled the new Nepal map constitutional amendment in Nepal's House of Representatives or Lower house of Nepali Parliament. The constitutional amendment when passed by the Nepali Parliament and signed by the Nepali president will give constitutional backing to new map that shows Indian territories of as Nepal territories --Lipulekh, Kalapani, Limpiyadhura as its own. The placing was delayed last week even as the Nepali Congress sought more time to discuss it within the party's central committee meeting. On Saturday, the Nepali Congress gave its official endorsement. Nepal is keen for foreign secretary-level talks on the issue and while the Indian government has said it is open to talks but an "environment of trust and confidence" needs to be built. Meanwhile, it's understood m that both Indian and Nepal are planning to get in touch with each other at the highest level soon. The ministry of external affairs last week said, "India is open to engaging with all its neighbours on the basis of mutual sensitivity and mutual respect, in an environment of trust and confidence. This is a continuous process and requires constructive and positive efforts." MEA also said that it continues to "monitor the situation in Nepal" The map row broke after India's defence minister inaugurated a road till Lipulekh which Nepal says is its own territory. It was followed by Nepal FM Pradeep Kumar Gyawali meeting Indian envoy to Nepal Vinay Mohan Kwatra and Nepali Foreign Ministery and ruling party Nepal Communist Party issued a strongly worded release protesting the new road built by India that will reduce the time for Indian pilgrims to go for Mansarovar Yatra in Tibet, China. It was followed by a protest by India who reminded Kathmandu that it is Indian territory. What followed was Nepali President addressing the joint session of the Parliament saying the new maps of the country will be published that will show all areas it considers its own irking New Delhi. The MEA reacting to it and said, "This unilateral act is not based on historical facts and evidence" and "Such artificial enlargement of territorial claims will not be accepted by India." 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.

New Nepal map constitutional amendment placed in Lower house of Nepali Parliament

The Lower House of Nepal parliament will start the process next week to pick a new House Speaker.

A meeting of the House of Representatives has been called on December 27 to initiate the process as the post of House Speaker has been vacant ever since Krishna Bahadur Mahara resigned over a rape allegation.

In the absence of House Speaker, the Winter Session of Nepal's lower house started from Friday chaired by Deputy Speaker Shiva Maya Tumbahamphe.

This time the election for the Speaker is seen with much caution as the Constitutional provision demands the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker should be representatives from different party and sex.

"The election under Clause (1) shall be so held that there is one woman as either Speaker or Deputy Speaker, and the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives shall be representatives from different parties," states the Constitution.

Outgoing Speaker Mahara, who represented then CPN (Maoist Center) and the current Deputy Speaker Shivamaya Tumbahamphe, was from the former CPN-UML at the time of their election. Later, the two parties were merged to form the NCP.

But the ruling party refused to make any change to the two posts, arguing that they were no longer with any party as they had already resigned their party positions immediately after being elected Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

The Lower House of Nepal parliament will start the process next week to pick a new House Speaker. A meeting of the House of Representatives has been called on December 27 to initiate the process as the post of House Speaker has been vacant ever since Krishna Bahadur Mahara resigned over a rape allegation.

The Lower House of Nepal parliament will start the process next week to pick a new House Speaker. A meeting of the House of Representatives has been called on December 27 to initiate the process as the post of House Speaker has been vacant ever since Krishna Bahadur Mahara resigned over a rape allegation. In the absence of House Speaker, the Winter Session of Nepal's lower house started from Friday chaired by Deputy Speaker Shiva Maya Tumbahamphe. This time the election for the Speaker is seen with much caution as the Constitutional provision demands the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker should be representatives from different party and sex. "The election under Clause (1) shall be so held that there is one woman as either Speaker or Deputy Speaker, and the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives shall be representatives from different parties," states the Constitution. Outgoing Speaker Mahara, who represented then CPN (Maoist Center) and the current Deputy Speaker Shivamaya Tumbahamphe, was from the former CPN-UML at the time of their election. Later, the two parties were merged to form the NCP. But the ruling party refused to make any change to the two posts, arguing that they were no longer with any party as they had already resigned their party positions immediately after being elected Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

Nepalese parliament to start process to pick new speaker next week