[1Ropani.com Jan 05, 2010]
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) is planning to provide special Identity cards for Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs). During the NRNs' conference in Kathmandu earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Sujata Koirala had announced that separate identity cards would be issued to the NRN. Once identity card is issued, NRN will be able to purchase land and house within the country, besides carrying out business activities. Buying land and house regulation has also been passed by the Council of Minister last year in September 2009, NRN can purchase land and house in Nepal. NRN can purchase two Ropanis of land within Kathmandu valley eight Kattha of land/house within the municipality of Terai Region. They are only allowed to procure land/house/apartment for their own purposes. Citing the investment opportunity into the sector, real estate developers had demanded that the government allow all overseas buyers to own apartments in Nepal. The government, however, has responded positively with regard to NRNs only. NRN community has taken it as a positive step despite their demand of dual citizenship. However, The Non-Resident Nepali Association National Coordination Councils (NRNA NCCs) in various countries have submitted memorandums to the Constituent Assembly Chairperson Rt. Hon. Mr. Subash Nembang through the respective Ambassadors asking for explicitly including the provision of dual citizenship in the constitution being framed by the Constituent Assembly. The memorandums were submitted as per the decision of the International Coordination Council of the NRNA. The memorandum also stated that the dual nationality provision will cement the bond of the Nepali Diaspora with the country and make them contribute to the welfare of the motherland.
So far memorandum has been handed over by the NRNA NCCs in Australia, China, Denmark, France, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Norway, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Switzerland United Arab Emirates, UK, USA, Canada, Belgium and Kuwait to the ambassadors and diplomatic mission chiefs of Nepal in various countries.