Nepali Congress Pledges Rights and Integration for Non-Resident Nepalis in Manifesto

Kathmandu. The Nepali Congress has clearly mentioned the issues of Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs) living abroad in its manifesto. Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa publicly released the full text of the manifesto at a program organized in the capital on Thursday.

The manifesto elaborates on this from pages 170 to 174 under the heading 'Nepali Diaspora: Unbroken Ties, Expanded Nepal'. At the outset, the Congress embraces the slogan 'Once a Nepali, Always a Nepali' advocated by the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), stating its commitment to ensuring continuity of citizenship, property rights, and voting rights, thereby connecting the sentiments, knowledge, skills, and capital of all generations of the diaspora to the nation's prosperity.

The Congress manifesto states, "In the hearts of millions of Nepalis who carry affection for their motherland regardless of where they reside in the world, 'Expanded Nepal' is alive today. Given the current situation where the diaspora's contribution to the social, cultural, and economic progress of the motherland is growing remarkably, it has become imperative to link their honor and respect with Nepal's prosperity."

Acknowledging the primary demands and sentiments of the Nepali diaspora, ensuring the continuity of citizenship is stated as a primary necessity. The manifesto further states, "To legally guarantee the citizenship, ancestral property rights, and voting rights of Non-Resident Nepalis, it appears necessary to bring a unified Non-Resident Nepali Act by amending existing obstructive laws."

At a time when there is discussion that the NRN citizenship obtained is currently turning into a mere piece of paper, the Congress has mentioned ensuring that this citizenship becomes functional by resolving legal complexities in areas such as land, immigration, company affairs, and labor, thereby providing the diaspora with facilities and security similar to Nepali citizens.

Similarly, while the debate over whether NRNs' money is accepted in Nepal but their votes are not has been ongoing for years, the Congress has incorporated the demand for the right to vote from abroad into its manifesto. The manifesto states, "Respecting the order of the Supreme Court in particular, the amendment to the election law to allow Nepalis residing abroad to vote from there will directly connect them to the national mainstream."

Furthermore, the manifesto addresses the significant role of Non-Resident Nepalis in Nepal's economic prosperity.

The manifesto states, "Connecting the diaspora's capital to Nepal's infrastructure development from an economic perspective can prove to be a milestone for the national economy. To create an investment-friendly environment, it is necessary to provide Non-Resident Nepalis with easy access to Nepal's capital market and to enter into bilateral agreements with various countries to end the double taxation system."

Beyond mere economic remittances, the knowledge, skills, and technology acquired abroad are even more crucial for Nepal's development. Mechanisms such as a Knowledge and Innovation Center can play a significant role in identifying highly skilled Nepali experts and connecting them to national policy-making and research. Emphasis has also been placed on operating special cultural and educational programs to maintain the attachment and sense of belonging towards Nepal among the second and third generations of the diaspora.

The manifesto states, "Concepts such as residential summer schools should be encouraged to teach Nepali children raised abroad about Nepal's language, art, and history, and they should be involved in Nepali sports and art sectors. Furthermore, a partnership model through a Government-Diaspora Community Development Fund should be introduced for diaspora members wishing to contribute to the development of their birthplace."

It is also expressed with confidence that if any Non-Resident Nepali invests in education or health sectors in their village, the government providing additional matching funds and collaborating will further deepen the affection for the motherland.

The manifesto concludes by expressing confidence that the dream of a 'Prosperous Nepal' can only be realized by ensuring the rights of the Nepali diaspora, who are not just a means of financial support but a strong pillar for enhancing Nepal's international prestige and bringing in modern technology, and by legally strengthening their emotional bond with the motherland while securing their rights.