Kathmandu, June 17: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on Thursday urged the non-residential Nepalis to fulfil their responsibility for the motherland.

Speaking at a function organised by Non-Residential Nepali Association (NRNA) in the capital, PM Deuba urged the NRNAs to use capital, knowledge and skills gained abroad for the development of the country.

Prime Minister Deuba informed that the government has reduced the ceiling of foreign investment from Rs. 50 million to Rs. 20 million and investment around Rs. 100 million would be approved through the automation system. Prime Minister Deuba informed that the government had decided to bring the Nepali labourers working abroad under the social security fund net through the social security on the contribution basis.

He said the Nepal Rastra Bank has issued foreign employment Saving Bond (Bachat Patra) with an attractive interest rate to Nepalis residing abroad and simplified the provisions of opening dollar bank account. He urged the NRNAs to take advantage by opening dollar account and buying the Saving Bond.

He reiterated his commitment of addressing the problem of NRNs.

Minister for Foreign Affair Dr. Narayan Khadka said the government was thinking about establishing special economic zone to encourage NRNA’s investment.

He said the government was committed to providing Nepali citizenship to NRNs as provisioned in the Constitution.

Minister Khadka further informed that the government was preparing to provide facility loan to the citizens who return from foreign employment by establishing Challenge Fund. He urged the Association to move forward with unity.

Association chair Dr. Badri KC complained that the constitution has discriminated the Nepalis living abroad and demanded amendment to such discriminatory provision.

He also demanded voting rights to all Nepalis living abroad.

Association executive chair Kul Acharya said they were encouraged from the statement of Prime Minister Deuba that he would initiate process to endorse the Non-Resident Nepali Citizen Bill from the current parliament session.

Published on: 17 June 2022 | The Rising Nepal