By Muna Chand
Kathmandu, March 31
Minister for Home Affairs, Bal Krishna Khand, has said that power production should be given first priority by utilizing river water in the country.
During a meeting with newly elected office-bearers from the 10th General Convention of the Non-Resident Nepali Association at the Home Ministry on Wednesday, Minister Khand shared that the import of petroleum products could be decreased only if the consumption of power is increased by providing electricity produced in the country in every house.
He opined that the trade deficit is increasing as there is no balance between imports and
export. The Home Minister argued that the trade deficit could be reduced only if there is a
situation to consume power produced in the country.
Stating that the Constitution of Nepal could be amended and revised at the consensus of
political parties, he mentioned that citizenship, as well as other privileges, could be granted to non-resident Nepalis by amending the Constitution and the government was positive towards this issue.
Arguing that the country’s state system does not regard non-resident Nepalis as foreigners, he said that the government would take initiative in providing them with Nepali citizenship cards by making laws as per the constitution.
An NRNA desk will be set up to facilitate the outbound and inbound of non-resident Nepalis, he said.
On the occasion, a five-point demand on behalf of the NRNA was submitted to minister Khand.
The demands include granting non-resident citizenship to non-resident Nepalis, creating an
environment conducive at the Tribhuvan International Airport for their arrival and departure, and making the entry of those holding passports mentioning Nepal as their birth country easier.
Present on the occasion were the NRNA newly elected Presidents Kul Acharya and Dr. Badri KC.
