KATHMANDU: Prime Minister (PM) Balendra Shah (Balen) has said that the government is fully committed to both the letter and spirit of the Constitution.
Speaking at a programme organized here today on the occasion of Constitution Day, Prime Minister Shah said the Constitution, written with the blood of martyrs, must be fulfilled through actions.
“We are fully committed to upholding and implementing the Constitution, and I reiterate that commitment today,” he said. “The day of the promulgation of the Constitution comes every year, but the day of its fulfillment must be brought about by us ourselves—through every honest decision, every transparent appointment and every service that reaches the doorsteps of citizens.”
Stating that the people have demanded good governance, development, prosperity and social justice, Prime Minister Shah said every step taken by the government is and will remain focused on fulfilling those aspirations.
He said competitive multiparty democracy, human rights and the rule of law are not conditions imposed on the country but the foundations of national life.
“This Constitution has made a promise to the Nepali people: unity amid diversity, an end to all forms of discrimination and inequality, and the creation of an egalitarian society based on development, prosperity and social justice,” he said. “We should never forget one thing: no matter how good the Constitution is, if the hands that implement it are not honest and continuously active, it will become merely a piece of paper.”
Prime Minister Shah said the country is at the beginning of a process rather than its end, noting that the roots of corruption and impunity remain deep. He said the government is aware that good governance is an essential prerequisite for development.
He said the current government has adopted measures including appropriate sizing of the administrative structure, zero tolerance for corruption, political neutrality in the administrative machinery and merit-based appointments to government and public positions to promote good governance.
“Good governance is not a slogan; it is work, and we are working,” he said. “The federal government is committed to achieving the common objective of national development through cooperation, coexistence and coordination among the federal, provincial and local levels.”
Stating that the government would not simply follow the old path, Prime Minister Shah said it would build a knowledge-based economy by combining artificial intelligence, digital technology and cybersecurity while placing innovation and new entrepreneurship at the forefront.
He said national digital infrastructure under the Digital Good Governance Action Plan would serve as the foundation for this effort and pledged to ensure the technology-driven good governance demanded by young people on the streets.
Prime Minister Shah also expressed gratitude to friendly countries, the international community and organizations, the private sector, civil servants and citizens who have supported disaster management and rescue efforts following the Bhotekoshi floods, which he described as having caused unimaginable and irreparable damage.
“Thank you is not enough. Nepal is among the countries at high risk of disasters globally. We must face this reality not after a disaster occurs, but before it happens,” he said. “Special emphasis will be placed on risk reduction, preparedness and response. The disaster early warning system will be implemented with the highest priority.”
Prime Minister Shah paid heartfelt tribute to the known and unknown martyrs who sacrificed their lives during movements for political change and good governance in Nepal, as well as to those who were martyred in the historic Genji movement for good governance.
He also expressed condolences to all Nepali and foreign citizens who lost their lives in the Bhotekoshi floods and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
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