Citizenship Bill passed by majority

KATHMANDU: The Nepal Citizenship (First Amendment) Bill, 2079 BS, was passed by a majority vote in the House of Representatives.

Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand on Wednesday introduced the bill in the House. On Thursday and Friday, the bill was debated.

The government has introduced a new bill dealing with non-resident citizenship but has remained silent on marriage recognition.

The Citizenship Act Amendment Bill, which had been pending in the House for four years, has been withdrawn, and a new bill has been introduced.

The bill will pave the way for citizenship by descent to be granted to the children of citizens who acquired citizenship by birth prior to the new constitution.

Similarly, the Bill provides that a person born in Nepal to a Nepali mother and settled in Nepal, but whose father is unknown, can obtain citizenship through descent.

Minors who are found in Nepal but do not have the addresses of their father and mother can also obtain citizenship through descent, according to the bill.