Nepal SC issues notice to Govt over appointment of 21 envoys

Nepal's Supreme Court today issued a show cause notice to the government seeking clarification over recommendation of envoys to 21 countries, including China and Pakistan, on a plea alleging that it was not inclusive and violates the provision of the Constitution.
A single bench of Acting Chief Justice Sushila Karki asked the defendants to be present in the court with written clarification mentioning reason and base for nominations within 15 days.
The apex court was responding to a writ petition filed by advocate Rakshyaran Haricha on Wednesday, demanding a halt to the nomination process claiming that the selection was not inclusive and contravenes the new Constitution.

The Prime Minister, Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Constitutional Council and recommended envoys have been named as defendants in the writ.
The petitioner claimed that majority of the appointees are from upper class Bramhin ethnic community and there is very negligible number of woman, ethnic minorities marginalised class and the Madhesi community.
Article 282 of the new Constitution states that the President shall appoint ambassadors and other emissaries for specified purposes based on the principle of inclusion.
The Cabinet on Tuesday recommended envoys for 21 countries, including China, Pakistan, UK, Japan, Germany, Australia, Bangladesh, Russia, Sri Lanka and Bahrain, where the diplomatic posts have remained vacant for several months.

Their appointment, however, needs to be approved by parliamentary hearings, which has not yet been formed due to some technical reasons.