Non-resident Nepalis have urged the government to immediately promulgate the bill on NRN, which, among others, would give legal rights to Nepalis residing abroad to invest and own property in the country.
The Kathmandu Post daily quotes Bhim Udas, coordinator of NRN Association International Coordination Committee (NRN-ICC) as saying that due to the absence of the act on NRN, many Nepalis residing abroad have started losing contacts with their motherland, which ultimately is dampening their enthusiasm to participate in the country's development.
“We, thus, request the government to enact the law immediately,” Udas said who is currently leading a six-member delegation of NRNs.
According to him, promulgation of the act at an early date will encourage more non-resident Nepalis to participate in the Third Global NRN Conference, going to be held in Kathmandu from October 15-17, 2007.
After lobbying for years, the government had introduced an ordinance on NRN in 2005, though it had failed to incorporate issues raised by NRNs. However, it was annulled later following the change in the government after the April uprising. After establishment of new government, a new bill on NRN was formulated. However, it has been lying idle at the Parliamentary Committee of the House of Representatives (HoR) since then.
Once the law is endorsed by the HoR, NRNs and people of Nepalis origin (PNOs) will be issued visa, free of cost, which will allow them to stay in Nepal for up to 10 years. Visas would be extended based on need.
“However, in the case of NRNs, they can also apply for ID cards, which will also entitle them to stay legally in the country for up to 10 years,” states the bill.
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