Citizenship Bill is not in citizen’s interest: UML leader Gyawali

UDAYAPUR: CPN (UML) deputy general secretary Pradeep Kumar Gyawali has said that the Citizenship Bill is not in the interest of the citizen.

Speaking in a press meet organised by Press Chautari Nepal, Rupandehi in Butwal today, he said although there is no confusion that the bona fide Nepali citizen should get the citizenship without any pretext, the new Citizenship Bill brought by the government is wrong.

“The government has brought the bill by sidelining the agreement forged in the State Affairs Committee. It is not in the country’s interest,” leader Gyawali said.

Noting that the UML had proposed to include provision for providing naturalized citizenship to a foreign woman marrying a Nepali male citizen only after seven years of their marriage, the UML deputy general secretary said the new bill has the provision which says that the process for the naturalized citizenship through marriage can be initiated immediately after the marriage, which is not appropriate.

According to him, some criteria could be set for issuing the naturalized citizenship through marriage but arrangements can be made for the woman marrying a Nepali man allowing her to engage in any business or employment. (RSS)