Kathmandu: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has said that policy and legal reforms for the implementation of the constitution remain the government’s top priority. Responding to lawmakers’ queries on the Nepal Citizenship (Second Amendment) Bill at the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Lekhak stressed that the bill is a key step toward protecting citizens’ constitutional rights.

Citizenship in the Mother’s Name

Lekhak clarified that the bill ensures citizenship by descent through the mother’s name, especially in cases where the father is absent or has not legally recognized the child. “The bill has made a provision to obtain citizenship of descent in the mother’s name as well, which is a great success for us,” he said.

Naturalized Citizenship for Children of Nepali Mothers

The bill also introduces a provision for naturalized citizenship to children born to Nepali mothers, even if their father is a foreign national. According to Lekhak, this guarantees service access and upholds fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution.

Expanding Service Access

To make service delivery easier, the Home Minister said the government is preparing to establish area administration offices in 23 more districts, ensuring that citizens in remote regions can access administrative services without difficulty.

No Citizen Left Stateless

Lekhak assured that once the bill is enacted, no Nepali citizen will have to remain without citizenship, underscoring the government’s commitment to good governance, inclusion, and effective service delivery.