President Ramchandra Paudel has urged leaders of political parties to implement the constitution in order to empower the Nepali citizens.

On the occasion of Maghi festival, the President had invited the vice president, Speaker, chairman of the National Assembly, party leaders represented in Parliament, and chairpersons of various parliamentary committees to his residence on Monday for a lunch and urged them to implement the constitution by formulating required laws.

The constitution was promulgated in 2015, but still some laws are still in the stage of formulation.

“Though the constitution is excellent, Nepali people have not been able to benefit from it,” he said, adding, “that is why there is a kind of frustration among them.”

This is not the first time that the President has drawn the attention of the party leaders to ensure effective implementation of the constitution. On Friday, the President held a joint meeting with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba and opposition party leader KP Oli and urged them to ensure good governance, focus on implementation of federalism and bring essential reforms in universities.

According to an aide to Paudel, in his meeting with the top leaders, asked them to focus on implementation of federalism and ensure good governance.

On Monday too, the President shared his concerns with leaders from a broad political spectrum.

“I request you all to formulate necessary laws and ensure the rights envisioned by the constitution,” he told the leaders.

The chief ministers of seven provinces have repeatedly spoken of the central government’s failure to formulate laws to empower the provincial governments. They had recently met Prime Minister Dahal and submitted a memo, pressing their concerns.

There is an increasing frustration among the people due to the lack of implementation of the constitution, Paudel said, adding, “Let’s turn people’s despair into hope by quickly formulating the crucial laws.”

“I understand the desire of the Nepali people. Nepali people do not turn back; they always want to move forward. They don’t have other wishes; they only want to see the implementation of the constitution and their rights ensured. That is why those excluded from enjoying the rights and powers envisioned by the constitution are frustrated… otherwise they have respect for the constitution.”

Notably, Prime Minister Dahal and CPN-UML Chairman KP Oli were absent from the luncheon. Dahal left early in the morning to attend some pre-scheduled function in Arghakhanchi while Oli had also informed he was occupied with some pre-set meetings.