KATHMANDU:- Foreign Minister Sishir Khanal has assured wider discussion on a draft bill related to the Non-Resident Nepalese Association (NRNA).

A broad discussion would be held with the stakeholders, he reiterated during a delegation of the Association of Nepali Origin (ANO) at his Ministry on Thursday.

A delegation led by senior advocate Sushil Kumar Pant, vice chairman of ANO, recorded Foreign Minister Khanal as saying that the recently unveiled document was a zero draft, requiring thorough discussions with all sides concerned before presenting it in the parliament.

ANO reminded the Minister that some of the provisions in the draft bill were impractical and lacked measures to retain the Nepali diaspora’s connection to the homeland. Even a memorandum was handed over to the Minister.

Vice Chairman Pant stressed that the legislation needs to pay heed to whether the NRNA law would be capable of connecting Nepalis’ hearts to their homeland. He further pointed out the need for amendments in the definition section, thereby making clear Nepali origin, three generations of Nepalis abroad, and others of Nepali origin living abroad.

The delegation comprised ANO general secretary Chudamani Bhattarai, board of trustees member Babu Krishna Karki, and Nepal chair of ANO, Krishna Sapkota, among others. RSS