Lalitpur: Most students, who participated in public feedback collection organized by Omega International Higher Secondary School, Kumaripati on Tuesday, have demanded fewer provinces, free education up to university level and restoration of Hindu state.

"Education should be free up to the university level," said Prabhat Roy, a 12th grader. Shankar Shah said, "There should be as few states as possible. Each state should be connected with hill, mountain and Tarai plains. It would be better if they turned current five development regions into five provinces."
Sandhya Khatry wanted woman as the Prime Minister and President of the country. "There has been no woman PM in Nepal's history. The new constitution should have a provision for this," said Khatry.

Students had been given copies of draft constitution each to study beforehand and were asked to provide their feedback. "They have given their feedback in the form provided, we will collect all of them and send to Constituent Assembly through CA member of this constituency," said Lawanaya Dhungana, Program Coordinator of Omega College.

Speaking at the program, Madan Amatya, CA member from constituency number three of Lalitpur, thanked students for their encouraging participation but also expressed disappointment with the process.

"Experts should have been assigned to write the draft and CA should have passed it. CA tried to do everything, so first CA failed and we are having troubles, even today," he said.

He complained that top leaders have rendered CA members role-less. "The draft constitution reads like a joint political manifesto of all parties, CA members have been denied their role in the process," lamented Amatya.

He also asked the top leaders to take public feedback as verdicts of referendum. "Top leaders have been saying that this is no referendum. It is," he said.

Amatya, who was also chief guest of the program, however, assured the students that he would take all their views to the concerned bodies.

source:republica,21 july 2015