Vedanta Social Studies Book 8 Final (2078)

Glossary

durable : able to last for a long time
depletion : usage of available supply of natural resources
recognition : the act of identifying somebody or something
compromise : to settle a dispute by agreeing to accept less than what

extensive was originally wanted
indigenous : vast or broad in scope
alleviation : belonging to a place

: reduction or decrease

ACTIVITIES

(1) What roles can you play to conserve the surrounding of your
school? Discuss among your friends, make a list, and implement
them.

(2) What roles can the citizens play for sustainable development?
Discuss among your friends in a group, and present the conclusion
in your classroom.

(3) Justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and
privileges within a society is known as social justice. Do people
of socially marginalised groups based on class, gender, religion,
caste, etc get special facilities or opportunities provided by the
state in your community? Discuss in your class and write.

EXERCISE

(1) Write very short answers to the given questions.

(a) What is sustainable development?

(b) When did the concept of sustainable development receive its first
international attention?

Vedanta 101 Approved by Curriculum Development Centre,
Integrated Social Studies and Sanothimi, Bhaktapur
Population Education - Book 8

(c) Define sustainable development according to the report of the
Brundtland Commission.

(d) What is the primary objective of sustainable development?
(e) Mention the three aspects of sustainable development.

(2) Write short answers to the following questions.

(a) Define sustainable development in your own words. Mention its
importance.

(b) What are the objectives of sustainable development? Write them.
(c) What should be done for sustainable development? Write any six

ways.
(d) What are the advantages of sustainable development? Mention any

six benefits.

COMMUNITY WORK

There are several ways to achieve sustainable development given in
the lesson. Has your community adopted them? Fill in the table with
the information.

Implemented ways Ways that need to be implemented

Approved by Curriculum Development Centre, 102 Unit Three:
Sanothimi, Bhaktapur Social Problems and Their Solutions

Lesson

31..61 Good Governance

The term ‘good governance’ is composed of two words, ‘good’ and ‘governance’.
Governance means the way in which a country is ruled. Thus, good
governance means the effective and responsible management of a country,
which includes considering needs of the society in the decision it makes.
It is a fair system of ruling in which the government is responsible to its
citizens. In this process, the government uses its administrative power
in a fair and appropriate manner in favour of its concerned people. The
fundamental elements of good governance are accountable government,
transparent decision-making process, and corruption free society. Similarly,
public participation and rule of law are the base of good governance.

The key features of good governance are as follows.

(1) Good government is accountable to its people. It must be responsible
for its people and must be prepared to justify its actions to them.

(2) It is transparent. People should understand the actions and decisions of
the government. The government has to make decisions and implement
them in a manner that follows rules and regulations.

(3) It follows the rule of law. The rule of law refers to a situation in which
the people in a society obey its laws and enable it to function properly.
Everyone has to obey the laws of her or his country.

(4) It is responsive. It assures a quick and effective service to its
stakeholders.

(5) It is equitable and inclusive. The government should be fair towards its
citizens and provide better chances to vulnerable ones on a proportional
basis.

(6) It is effective as it ensures the optimum uses of resources. It is efficient
as it improves the competency and performance of civil servants. People
get access to power only through fair competitions such as elections in
this process.

(7) It is participatory. It allows every concerned people to take part in
decision making and its implementation process.

(8) It is consensus-oriented. It requires mediation of the different interests
in society to reach a broad consensus in society on what is in the best

Vedanta 103 Approved by Curriculum Development Centre,
Integrated Social Studies and Sanothimi, Bhaktapur
Population Education - Book 8

interest of the entire community through negotiation.

Benefits of Good Governance

(1) Reduction in corruption;
(2) Maintenance of peace and prosperity;
(3) Proper and fair availability of goods and services;
(4) Delivery of equal social justice to all;
(5) Appropriate and lawful distribution of means and resources;
(6) Wide public participation; and
(7) Establishment of a harmonious relationship between ‘the rulers’ and

‘the ruled’.

Good governance and development are supplementary. Good governance
controls corruption, assures wide public participation, distributes means
and resources equally, and makes the government responsible towards its
people. All these factors lead to the progress of a nation. However, there
are several challenges in maintaining good governance in Nepal. They
include widespread corruption, weak civil society, lack of public attention
and pressure, lack of feeling of patriotism, lack of proper plans and policies,
ineffective administration, and increase in nepotism and favouritism.

The government alone cannot fight against these challenges or problems.
All the stakeholders must be mobilised for good governance. The following
steps need to be carried out to keep up good governance.
(1) Everyone should obey the rule of law.
(2) Those who breach the law should be punished.
(3) All the functions and activities of the government need to be transparent.
(4) There must be a citizen charter in every office.
(5) Quick, effective, hassle-free, and efficient service should be provided to

the general people.
(6) Regulatory bodies should be established to check corruption.
(7) All citizens must develop a feeling of nationality towards their nation.
(8) The government has to be responsible towards the people.
(9) The state must ensure human rights and guarantee freedom of

communication and expression.
(10) The common people should be made politically aware.

Approved by Curriculum Development Centre, 104 Unit Three:
Sanothimi, Bhaktapur Social Problems and Their Solutions

(11) All the political parties of the country must be committed to the
promotion of public welfare.

Glossary

accountable : responsible
stakeholder : somebody or something with direct interest
equitable : fair
consensus : general or widespread agreement among all the members

breach of a group
hassle : failure to maintain something

: difficulty or trouble

ACTIVITY

(1) Good governance is necessary to run school management
and administration smoothly. What activities are done in your
school to promote good governance? Ask with your principal or
teachers and write them.

EXERCISE

(1) Write very short answers to the following questions.
(a) What is good governance?
(b) What are the fundamental elements of good governance?
(c) What do you mean by rule of law?
(d) What are the challenges in maintaining good governance in Nepal?
Mention them.

Vedanta 105 Approved by Curriculum Development Centre,
Integrated Social Studies and Sanothimi, Bhaktapur
Population Education - Book 8

(2) Answer the following questions in brief.
(a) What are the key features of good governance? Mention them.
(b) What are the benefits of good governance? Write any six of them.
(c) ‘Good governance and development are supplementary.” Explain
this statement.
(d) What happens in the society if there is no good governance?
(e) What should be done to keep up good governance? Write any six
ways.

COMMUNITY WORK

Here is a message issued by the National Information Commission.
Prepare a pamphlet or poster in good handwriting writing this
message. Paste it on the notice board of the school or public places
and participate in the preservation of the right to information.

Message of National Information Commission

(Things to be remembered by a conscious citizen)
(a) Salary of civil servants and the expenses of the government run

from the tax paid by common citizens.
(b) It is our fundamental right to know how, where and for what purpose

public tax is spent on.
(c) We have the right to know about the matter of public importance

held in public agencies.
(d) We have the right to obtain a verified sample of any material or to

obtain information held in any type of machine.
(e) Let’s develop a habit of sharing information of public importance

and develop a culture of open information.

National Information Commission, Kathmandu
Toll-free number: 1660-01-60000
(www.nic.gov.np)

Approved by Curriculum Development Centre, 106 Unit Three:
Sanothimi, Bhaktapur Social Problems and Their Solutions

Lesson Some International
Organisations
31..71

Various international and national organisations have been playing an
important role in solving social problems such as corruption, child labour,
abduction, alcoholism, drug addiction, etc. in our society. Some of them are
described below.

Transparency International

Transparency International (TI) is an international non-governmental
organisation founded on May 4, 1993 AD. It gives voice to the victims and
witnesses of corruption. It works together with governments, businesses,
and citizens to stop the abuse of power, bribery, and secret deals. The
headquarters of this global organisation is in Berlin, Germany.

Dr Peter Eigen, a German lawyer founded Transparency International.
Before that, he had worked in different capacities at the World Bank. TI has
branches in more than 100 countries that lead the fight against corruption.
TI does not conduct investigations into corruption itself. It brings together
officials in the areas of government, business, civil society, and the media
to promote transparency in private and public affairs and to lobby for anti-
corruption measures.
Its mission is to stop corruption and promote transparency, accountability
and integrity at all levels and across all sectors of society. Its core values
are transparency, accountability, integrity, solidarity, courage, justice,
and democracy. The primary objective of this organisation is to establish
a corruption-free world by eradicating the corruption that exists in the
government, politics, business, society, and anywhere.

Vedanta 107 Approved by Curriculum Development Centre,
Integrated Social Studies and Sanothimi, Bhaktapur
Population Education - Book 8

TI has been publishing the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) since 1995
AD on an annual basis. The CPI scores countries on how corrupt their
governments are believed to be. Likewise, it has been publishing the Bribe
Payers Index (BPI) since 1999 AD. It evaluates the supply side of corruption.
It is a measure of how willing a nation’s business sector appears to engage
in corrupt business practices.
Transparency International Nepal is one of the national chapters of
Transparency International, an NGO that leads a global movement against
corruption. It is a civil society institution dedicated to increasing public
accountability and curbing corruption in all walks of life. It is registered
at the Kathmandu District Administration Office and is affiliated with the
Social Welfare Council. It has taken a multi-faceted approach to address
corruption. Through its continuous activism over a decade, it has established
itself as a leading anti-corruption agency in Nepal.

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

United Nations Children’s Fund
(formerly, United Nations International
Children’s Emergency Fund) is an agency
of the United Nations. It administers
programmes to aid education and child
and maternal health in developing
countries. It was created by the United
Nations General Assembly on 11
December 1946. Its headquarters is in
New York, USA.

It has made a significant contribution in the sectors of education, health,
nutrition, and safe motherhood for vulnerable children in the underdeveloped
countries. It is conducting its programmes in some 190 countries of the
world. There is a branch office of this organisation in Nepal too. It has been
working with the UNICEF to conduct various activities for the welfare of
children in Nepal. The activities of this agency to solve social problems are
as follow:

Poverty alleviation programmes;
Ensuring the survival and normal development of premature babies;
Assist in the prevention of child abuse, discrimination, or exploitation;
Activities to eradicate gender discrimination;
Preventing HIV infection among those children who are born of HIV

Approved by Curriculum Development Centre, 108 Unit Three:
Sanothimi, Bhaktapur Social Problems and Their Solutions

infected mothers;
Providing counselling service to women and children who are addicted
to drugs;
Policy formulation, counselling and partnership in favour of child
rights; and
Rescue and protection of children and women from violence, exploitation
and abuses.

Save the Children

Save the Children was established
in the UK on April 15, 1919 AD. It
is an INGO that works in the field
of children welfare to the children
affected by HIV AIDS, hunger, and
poverty. It has many branches around the world. They are committed to
providing immediate help, rescue and relief to war-stricken children.
This organisation also assists the schoolchildren to get rid of social problems
and evils through various awareness and conducting child rights programme.

Glossary

abduction : snatch somebody away
chapter : a branch of society or club
lobby : try to persuade that a particular law should be changed

solidarity or that a particular thing should be done
curb : mutual agreement and support
: something that controls or limits something else

multi-faceted : having a variety of different and important features or
elements

vulnerable : without adequate protection

welfare : wellbeing

stricken : deeply or badly affected

Vedanta 109 Approved by Curriculum Development Centre,
Integrated Social Studies and Sanothimi, Bhaktapur
Population Education - Book 8

ACTIVITY

(1) What roles do these international organisations play to solve the social
problems in our society? Search materials from different newspapers or
reference materials, prepare a report and present it in your classroom.

EXERCISE

(1) Write very short answers to the following questions.
(a) What is Transparency International?
(b) What is the mission of Transparency International?
(c) Who founded Transparency International? When was it founded?
(d) Define corruption perceptions index.
(e) What is the former name of the United Nations Children’s Emergency
Fund?
(f) When was the UNICEF established?
(g) When was Save the Children established?

(2) Answer the following questions in brief.
(a) What role does Transparency International play to check corruption?
Mention them.
(b) Mention the role of the UNICEF to solve various social problems.
(c) Make a list of activities conducted by Save the Children.

Approved by Curriculum Development Centre, 110 Unit Three:
Sanothimi, Bhaktapur Social Problems and Their Solutions

Revisiting the Unit

(1) Study the corruption perception index (CPI) and answer the following
questions.

Position in Low Corruption Names of Countries Achieved figure
1 Denmark and New Zealand 88
24 68
75 Bhutan 43
86 Maldives 40
94 38
India 33
117 Sri Lanka 31
124 26
146 Nepal 19
165 Pakistan 12
179 Bangladesh
Afghanistan
South Sudan

Source: Transparency International Nepal, 2020 AD

(a) Where does Nepal stand in the list of corrupted countries?

(b) Which are the most and least corrupted countries among SAARC
nations?

(c) Why is corruption high in developing countries?

(d) What are the various causes of corruption?

(2) Prepare placards with slogans against corruption and arrange a rally
inside the school premises.

(3) What will happen in the following situations? Discuss among your
friends and write.

(a) If all the people return Nepal from foreign nations?
(b) If we socially boycott corrupt people?
(c) If conflicts keep increasing in our society?
(d) If the government launches all development projects according to

the principle of sustainable development?

Vedanta 111 Approved by Curriculum Development Centre,
Integrated Social Studies and Sanothimi, Bhaktapur
Population Education - Book 8

UNIT

4 CIVIC SENSE

Learning On the completion of this unit, we will be able to:
Outcomes • obey social rules of our society;
• utilise our human rights and protect them;
• recognise rights of women and protect them;
• implement the concept of inclusiveness in our daily life;
• identify the salient features of the present constitution;
• introduce the three organs of government; and
• clarify the role of citizens in a federal democratic republic system of

government and behave accordingly.

Approved by Curriculum Development Centre, 112 Unit Four:
Sanothimi, Bhaktapur Civic Sense

Lesson

41..11 Social Rules

Human beings live together in
society. They develop various
norms and values while
living together. They also
prepare code of conduct with
mutual understanding among
themselves to keep the society
healthy, beautiful, and well
managed. Such codes of conducts
are called social rules. They
differ from society to society. The
people living in any place follow
them for maintaining mutual understanding, peace and co-operation.

The social rules are prepared on the traditionally established social norms
and values. They exist as per social tradition and culture. Everyone in the
society follows them strictly. They are amended as per time and necessity
of the society. If they are not corrected as per time, they turn into social
problems. Untouchability and other kinds of discrimination prevailing in our
society emerged as social rules were not revised on time. Local organisations,
clubs, Aama Samuha, user groups and other civil societies help in drafting,
implementing, and modifying the social rules in society.

Social rules are very important for socio-economic progress of society. They
contribute in maintaining peace, fraternity, and mutual understanding
among the people. They play a very important role to make every individual
self-disciplined, well cultured, and civilised. They minimise social crimes
and maintain peace and order in the society. The social rules are bases for
national laws. They continue social etiquette and promote social justice.
The useful and effective social rules maintain good social behaviours. Such
social behaviours ultimately support to maintain peace and harmony in our
society. The peaceful society can prosper in its all sectors.

Here is a new story about social rules prepared in a village. Read and
understand about the formulation and implementation of social rules in
society.

Vedanta 113 Approved by Curriculum Development Centre,
Integrated Social Studies and Sanothimi, Bhaktapur
Population Education - Book 8

Villagers Prepared Social Rules

The villagers in a remote village of Kaski district formed a committee
under the chairpersonship of the senior citizen, Harimaya Bishwokarma.
The main purpose of the committee was to make the society healthy,
beautiful and well managed. This committee has passed some social
rules after a discussion among the villagers. They also announced that
the violation of any social rule is liable to severe punishment. Some of
the social rules prepared by them are as follows.

The act of buying and selling alcohol is restricted in the village.
No one can walk around the village after 11 pm. However, this rule
does not affect those who are in emergency.
Nobody can throw waste materials here and there in the village.
It is compulsory to all for helping the needy people at the time of
emergency in the village.
Any kind of conflict in the village should be settled down with the
supervision of the committee.
It is everyone’s duty to follow the social rules strictly.

Glossary

condemned : criticised
fraternity : brotherhood or sisterhood, fellowship
amend : modify, revise
prevail : to exist or be very common in a particular time or

particular place.

Approved by Curriculum Development Centre, 114 Unit Three:
Sanothimi, Bhaktapur Social Problems and Their Solutions

ACTIVITIES

(1) Prepare a list of classroom rules for your class through a discussion
and implement them in the class.

(2) Prepare some placards with slogans to make people aware of
the importance of social rules. Example:

“We need to follow social
rules strictly to make our

society well managed,
healthy, and beautiful.”

EXERCISE

(1) Write very short answers to the following questions.

(a) Define social rules in your own words.

(b) Write the names of any two organisations which help to prepare
and implement social rules in your society.

(c) Why does every society need social rules? Write your opinion in two
points.

(d) Mention any two social rules prevalent in your society which need
amendment.

(e) What should we do to people who violate social rules? Suggest in
two points.

(2) Give short answer to the following questions.

(a) Make a list of any six social rules prevalent in your society. Take help
of your parents or teacher.

(b) "It is our duty to follow social rules for social development." Justify
this statement in your own words.

(c) Prepare a conversation between two friends discussing on the role

of individual for preparing social rules and their implementation.

Vedanta 115 Approved by Curriculum Development Centre,
Integrated Social Studies and Sanothimi, Bhaktapur
Population Education - Book 8

(d) Prepare a list of any six social problems prevalent in your society
and write your roles to eradicate them.

(e) What benefits do the individuals and society get while following
social rules strictly? Complete the following table.

Benefits to the individuals Benefits to the society
1. 1.
2. 2.
3. 3.

(3) Give long answer to the following questions.

(a) Why are social rules necessary for social development? Make a list
of three benefits of them each on individual and society.

(b) How can we formulate the social rules? Write the formulation process
in three points and enlist any five common social rules suitable for
all kinds of society.

Approved by Curriculum Development Centre, 116 Unit Three:
Sanothimi, Bhaktapur Social Problems and Their Solutions

Lesson

41..21 Human Rights

Human beings are rational creatures. We are different from other creatures.
We can think and distinguish right and wrong. Therefore, the state and
society needs to treat all human beings according to human values and
ideals. Their behaviour should be on the basis of peace, freedom and justice.
We deserve certain privileges as human beings. Such basic rights which
are essential for us to live as human beings are human rights. Without
human rights, we cannot fully develop and use our human qualities, our
intelligence, our talent and our spirituality.

For the protection, promotion, and respect of human rights, the Constitution
of Nepal has clearly recognised the basic rights of the common citizens as the
fundamental rights. Nepal has agreed to the Charter of the United Nations
and the UN Declaration of Human Rights and various other international
conventions related to human rights. Our country is always committed to
respect, protect, and promote human rights. It has made constitutional,
legal, policy, and institutional provisions for their implementation.

Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of the former
US President Franklin D. Roosevelt,
introduced the concept of human right in
the world. With her tiredness effort in this
sector, the human rights are brought into
practice. The General Assembly of United
Nations passed a declaration regarding
human rights based on the ideas of Eleanor
Roosevelt on 10th December 1948 A.D.
This is known as Universal Declaration of Eleanor Roosevelt

Human Rights (UDHR). By this declaration, governments of all member
nations that signed the declaration must accept that all human beings-
women and men, rich and poor, strong and weak, young and old, of all races
and religions must be treated equally.

We celebrate the 10th December as International Human Rights Day
throughout the world every year. Various programmes such as procession
with placards and banners and mass meeting with speeches of concerned
authority are organised on this day. The Universal Declaration of Human

Vedanta 117 Approved by Curriculum Development Centre,
Integrated Social Studies and Sanothimi, Bhaktapur
Population Education - Book 8

Rights has 30 articles with different human rights. The following are the
major provisions given in those articles of UDHR.

1. Right to equality with dignity and rights.
2. Right against discrimination.
3. Right to life, liberty and security.
4. Right against slavery or servitude.
5. Right against torture.
6. Right to identity or recognition.
7. Right to equality before the law.
8. Right to constitutional remedy. (protection by laws)
9. Right against detention and exile.
10. Right to equal justice.
11. Right to remain innocent until proven guilty.
12. Right to Privacy.
13. Right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each

state.
14. Right asylum in other country for protection.
15. Right to nationality.
16. Right to marriage and establish a family.
17. Right to property.
18. Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
19. Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
20. Right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
21. Right of equal access to public service in his country.
22. Right to social security.
23. Right to equal pay for equal work.
24. Right to rest, periodic holidays with pay and recreation.
25. Right to standard of living.
26. Right to education.
27. Right to copyright or patent.
28. Right to enjoy the human right.
29. Right to fulfil duty not to interfere other’s rights.
30. Right against the violation of the human rights

The government of Nepal has made several efforts to provide human
rights to the people. It has signed the international declarations, protocols,

Approved by Curriculum Development Centre, 118 Unit Three:
Sanothimi, Bhaktapur Social Problems and Their Solutions

resolutions, conventions and treaties on
human rights. The constitution of Nepal
(2072) has the provision of 31 fundamental
rights in part 3, from articles 16-46 based
on the UDHR. It has also established the
National Human Rights Commission
(NHRC) as a constitutional body to protect
and promote human rights in Nepal. It
conducts inquiries, recommends for action
against the violator, publishes names of NHRC

any officials, persons or bodies if found guilty. Besides NHRC, Amnesty
International, Informal sector Service Centre (INSEC) and other civil
societies in Nepal are working in human rights sectors. They make people
and state aware of human rights.

Glossary

intellectual : connected with or using a person’s ability to think in a
logical way and understand the things
liberty :
servitude : the legal right and freedom to do something

protocols : a condition of being a slave or being forced to obey
another person
convention :
a system of fixed rules and formal behaviour used at
treaties : official meetings usually between governments of the
countries
social security :
an official agreement between the countries or leaders

a formal agreement between the countries

a system of payments made by the government to people

who are ill, poor, old or who have no job

ACTIVITIES

(1) Discuss in the class and identify the articles in Universal Declaration
of Human Rights which contain the provisions regarding child
rights.

(2) Collect the news, information, pictures, photos, etc. related to
the Human Rights and prepare a poster to display in the class.

Vedanta 119 Approved by Curriculum Development Centre,
Integrated Social Studies and Sanothimi, Bhaktapur
Population Education - Book 8

EXERCISE

(1) Give very short answers to the following questions.
(a) Define human rights in your own words.
(b) Who is Eleanor Roosevelt?
(c) When do we celebrate International Human Rights Day every year?
(d) How many articles are there in the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights?
(e) What do you mean by social security?
(f) Why do we need human rights? Write any two reasons.
(g) Make a list of any two activities of the National Human Right
Commission.
(h) Name any two social organisations working to protect human rights
in our country.

(2) Give short answers to the following questions.
(a) Make a list of any six important human rights mentioned in the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
(b) Write a letter to the chairperson of the National Human Right
Commission to protect the human rights of the people who have
been imprisoned in Nepal.
(c) “Human rights are the inborn rights of every individual.” Justify this
statement in your own words.

(3) Give long answer to the following questions.
(a) What inspiration should Nepali women get from the life of Eleanor
Roosevelt? Explain her role in getting the Universal Declaration of
Human Right adopted by UN General Assembly in six points.
(b) How is the situation of human rights in Nepal? Mention the functions
of the National Human Right Commission of Nepal in four points.

Approved by Curriculum Development Centre, 120 Unit Four:
Sanothimi, Bhaktapur Civic Sense

Lesson

41..31 Rights of Women

Bindu Sunar studies in grade eight. Her uncle, Govinda Sunar works in the
National Women Commission in Kathmandu. Bindu had curiosity about
rights of women. One day, she had a video call with her uncle on Zoom app.
They made a conversation on women’s rights. Let's hear it.

Bindu : Hello, uncle, Namaskar. How are you?

Govinda : I am fine, Bindu. How is your study going on these days?

Bindu : We are taking online classes these days uncle. It’s going
well. We are going to study about women’s rights in Social
Studies tomorrow. Can you please tell me about it in brief?

Govinda : Obviously, daughter. Listen, women's rights means rights
that promote a position of legal and social equality of women
with men. It refers to the rights of women to be treated equally
to men in all areas of society. They are important part of
human rights. The General Assembly of UNO had extended
the area of human rights and published a declaration in 1967
A.D. This declaration was about the welfare of women and
their rights. Those rights mentioned in the declaration are
recognised in the world as women’s rights. Thus, the rights
of women mentioned in the UN declaration in 1967 AD are
women’s rights.

Bindu : Okay. What are the women's rights mentioned in the UN
Declaration? Could you please let me know?

Govinda : Of course, the following are some of the women’s rights
mentioned in the UN declaration.

End of women violence and gender discrimination to
women;
Maternal health, gender and reproductive right to the
women;
Equal wages to men and women for the same work;
Abolishing the child marriage and mismatched

Vedanta 121 Approved by Curriculum Development Centre,
Integrated Social Studies and Sanothimi, Bhaktapur
Population Education - Book 8

Bindu : marriage with women;
Govinda : Facility for paid maternity leaves to the women
employees;
Bindu : Right to education and empowerment to women; and
Govinda : Right of women in parental properties.

Is there any provisions regarding women’s rights in our
constitution, too?

That's a good question. Part 3, article 38 of our constitution
has some provisions for women’s rights. They are as follow.

Every woman shall have equal lineage right without
gender-based discrimination.
Every woman shall have the right to safe motherhood
and reproductive health.
No woman shall be subjected to physical, mental,
sexual, psychological or other forms of violence or
exploitation on grounds of religion, social, cultural and
traditional practice or on any other ground. Such act
shall be punishable by law, and the victim shall have
the right to obtain compensation in accordance with
law.
Women shall have the right to participate in all bodies
of state based on principle of inclusion.
Women shall have the right to special opportunity
in education, health, employment and social security
based on positive discrimination.
The spouse shall have the equal right to property and
family affairs.

Oh! these provisions are essential for overall development of
all women. I learnt that the UNO also passed a Convention on
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
in 1979 A.D. Our country has also signed this convention.
Nepal also celebrates the International Women’s Day on the
8th of March every year. Am I right, uncle?

Yes, you are absolutely right. People carry out various
programmes and activities on this day. They mostly organise
rally with placards and banners, competitions on women

Approved by Curriculum Development Centre, 122 Unit Four:
Sanothimi, Bhaktapur Civic Sense

Bindu : right issues and mass meeting. Do you have any other
Govinda : questions related to the rights of the women?

Bindu : I am almost clear about women’s right. But, I still have a
Govinda : doubt. Although people have made many efforts for welfare
Bindu : and rights of women, why are millons of women still backward
in many societies?

This is a very sensible question, Bindu. There are many
reasons behind it. Some of them are as follows.

Patriarchal social environment that creates male
domination on women in various aspects of family life.
Gender discrimination hindering women development
due to conservative thoughts of the people in our society.
Deprivation to women from many opportunities such
as education, employment, services, etc.
Lack of facilities for reproductive health to the women.
Ineffectiveness of programmes and laws made for
women empowerment in the world.
Conservative thought of taking women as weak and
backward gender.

Thank you, uncle. I am clear about women’s rights. I will
share these pieces of information in the class tomorrow.

Thank you. Take care. Don't forget to take preventative
measures against the coronavirus disease.

Sure, uncle!

(Both of them go offline.)

Glossary

curiosity : to show strong desire to know about something

patriarchal : ruled, dominated or controlled by men

deprivation : the state of getting something that people need

conservative : opposed to great or sudden social change

empowerment : the process of gaining freedom and power to do what

Vedanta one wants or to control what happens to her or him

Integrated Social Studies and 123 Approved by Curriculum Development Centre,
Population Education - Book 8 Sanothimi, Bhaktapur

ACTIVITY

(1) Organise the speech contest, on “Present Condition of Women’s
Rights in Nepal”

EXERCISE

(1) Give very short answers to the following questions.
(a) What do you mean by woman’s rights?

(b) When were the rights of women mentioned in the UN declaration?

(c) When do we celebrate International Women’s Day?

(d) Make a list of any two activities of the National Women Right
Commission.

(e) What do you mean by women empowerment?

(f) Prepare a list of any two efforts made in the world for women
empowerment.

(2) Give short answers to the following questions.
(a) What will happen in the society if women do not get their rights?
Write in six points.

(b) “Man and woman are two wheels of the same chariot.” Explain this
statement in your own words.

(c) Prepare a news article highlighting the incidents about the violation
of women rights that you have observed or witnessed.

(d) Why are women still backward in comparison to the men in some
societies? Write any four measures for women empowerment.

(e) Make a list of any six rights of women according to their priority.
Justify why the first three rights are the most important rights for
women.

(3) Give long answers to the following questions.
(a) What is women empowerment? How do the efforts made for the
rights of women support women’s empowerment? Mention your
opinion in six points.

(b) What do you mean by patriarchal society? Why do women lag behind
because of it? Write any three measures to uplift the socioeconomic
status of women in our society.

Approved by Curriculum Development Centre, 124 Unit Four:
Sanothimi, Bhaktapur Civic Sense

Lesson

41..41 Inclusiveness

Inclusiveness is a process of proportional representation of all kinds of
people in the mainstream of national development and ruling system. It is
the inclusion of socially, economically, and educationally backward ethnic
people with different lingual identities, culture and religions in ruling
system. It is practised by providing equal justice to backward people in
various opportunities such as education, employment, and service. Thus,
it is the process of bringing forth the underprivileged or marginalised
community people into the mainstream of state affairs.

Inclusiveness brings the representation of various castes, classes, lingual
communities, genders, and religions in the mainstream of state affairs. It
promotes the sustainable development, good governance, national integrity
and real democracy. Therefore, there must be inclusiveness in various
sectors of state affairs. The main sectors of inclusiveness in the context of
Nepal are given in the following figure.

Vedanta 125 Approved by Curriculum Development Centre,
Integrated Social Studies and Sanothimi, Bhaktapur
Population Education - Book 8

Disability

Class Ethnicity

Geographical SECTORS Religion
region OF

INCLUSIVENESS

Gender Language

Minorities

Nepal is a country with diversities in various aspects. It has been divided
into different geographical regions such as the mountain, hill, and terai.
These geographical regions have different climatic conditions, natural
vegetation and wildlife. These factors influence the way of life of the people.

Different ethnic groups such as Brahmin, Chhetri, Newar, Gurung, Rai,
Limbu, Madesis, Bhutiyas, and so on live in Nepal. They speak different
languages as their mother tongues. They follow Hinduism, Christianity,
Buddhism, Kirant, Islam, and other religions. They have their own costumes,
life styles, and culture. All people despite of diversities living permanently
in Nepal are Nepali. They live with own dignity, pride, and nationality.
They all deserve respect and equal treatment from the nation.

Inclusiveness is the best way to respect every individual and make her or
him proud of being citizen of a nation. The feeling of nationality develops
in every citizen if the country adopts the concept of inclusiveness. It is a
duty of every state to support the people who are economically, socially and
educationally backward. The government has to follow the following steps
to adopt inclusiveness.

Provide equal opportunities of education, health and employment to
all people. However, special opportunities should be provided to the
people who are economically, socially, and educationally back-ward
and to people with physical disabilities;
Assure equal participation of people in the development work;
Guarantee equal justice to all people in the country;
Maintain religious tolerance and socio-cultural courtesy;

Approved by Curriculum Development Centre, 126 Unit Four:
Sanothimi, Bhaktapur Civic Sense

Maintain regional balance and equal participation in development;
Respect individual identity of all people irrespective of their caste,
language, gender, and economic background;
Assure the inclusive representation of people in different aspects of the
nation; and
Keep reservation seats to the backward people in the policy and
decision-making levels of the state following the principle of positive
discrimination.

Glossary

mainstream : the thoughts, beliefs, and choices that are accepted by
the largest number of people

underprivileged : people having poor standard of life

marginalised : something subsided aside

minorities : smaller part of a group, less than half of the total people,

reservation : the policy of keeping a fixed number of jobs or places
in schools, colleges, etc. for people who are members
of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes or other backward
classes

positive discrimination : the act of giving advantage to those groups in
society that are often treated unfairly because of their

race, sex, etc.

ACTIVITIES

(1) Find out the lines that represent the feeling of inclusiveness in
our national anthem. Then, discuss their meaning in the class.

(2) Prepare a short speech on the topic, ‘Importance of Inclusiveness
for overall development of the country’, and deliver it in the
class.

Vedanta 127 Approved by Curriculum Development Centre,
Integrated Social Studies and Sanothimi, Bhaktapur
Population Education - Book 8

EXERCISE

(1) Give very short answers to the following questions.
(a) What do you mean by inclusiveness?
(b) Define inclusive representation of people in your own words.
(c) How is inclusiveness maintained by assuring equal justice to all
people? Write your opinion in one or two sentences.
(d) Who are called marginalised people in society?
(e) Is it necessary to provide reservation seats to someone in the
mainstream of ruling system? Write your opinion in one or two
sentences.

(2) Give short answers to the following questions.
(a) Explain the importance of inclusiveness in social development in six
points.
(b) How can we practise inclusiveness in our country? Write any six
ways.
(c) "Inclusiveness promotes sustainable development, good
governance, national integrity, and real democracy." Justify this
statement in your own words.

(3) Give long answers to the following questions.
(a) Make a list of different sectors of inclusiveness in Nepal and write
about any three of them.
(b) "Sustainable development, good governance, national integrity,
and real democracy can be promoted with inclusiveness." Justify
this statement in your own words.

Approved by Curriculum Development Centre, 128 Unit Four:
Sanothimi, Bhaktapur Civic Sense

Lesson Inclusiveness in
Constitution of Nepal
41..51

The present constitution, Constitution of Nepal is
promulgated by an elected body after six decades of
political struggle. It is the first constitution drafted by the
elected people’s representatives. This constitution has the
provisions to include all the people of the country into the
mainstream of state affairs. Therefore, it is an inclusive
constitution of the world. Some of the provisions regarding
inclusiveness in this constitution are given below.

Preamble:
Preamble is the introductory part of the constitution. It is also the
theme of the constitution. The preamble of the present constitution
has expressed its determination to create egalitarian society based
on the principle of proportional inclusion and participation to ensure
equitable economy, property and social justice by ending all kinds of
discrimination.

Part 1 article 3:
The article 3 of the constitution defines the nation as all the Nepali
people having multi-ethnic, multilingual, multi religious and
multicultural characteristics with common aspirations of people living
in diverse geographical regions and being committed to and united by
a bond of allegiance to national independence, territorial integrity,
national interest, and prosperity of Nepal collectively constitute the
nation. It has adopted inclusiveness principle to define our nation.

Part 1 article 6 (1) :
This article has defined national languages as all the languages spoken
as mother tongues in Nepal are the languages of nation. This article
has adopted inclusiveness by giving equal respect to all languages
spoken in Nepal.

Part 3 article 18 Right to equality (1) :
The article 18 has the provision about right to equality. It maintains

Vedanta 129 Approved by Curriculum Development Centre,
Integrated Social Studies and Sanothimi, Bhaktapur
Population Education - Book 8

inclusiveness through right to equality. The sub article (1) of this
article has the provision that all the citizens are equal in front of law.
No person shall be denied the equal before law.

Part 3 article 18 Right to equality (3) :
This sub article has the provision that the state shall not discriminate
among the citizens on ground of origin, religion, race, caste, tribe, sex,
economic condition, language or geographical region, ideology and such
other matters. However, this right does not prevent to make special
provision by law for the protection, empowerment or advancement of
the women lagging behind socially and culturally, Dalits, indigenous
people (Adibasi Janajati), Madhesi, Tharus, Muslims, oppressed class,
backward communities, Minorities, marginalized groups, peasants,
labourers, youths, children, senior citizens, sexual minorities, persons
with disability, pregnant, incapacitated and the helpless persons, and
of the citizens who belong to backward regions and financially deprived
citizens including the Khas Arya.

Part 3 article Right to equality 18 (4) :
No discrimination in regard to remuneration social security shall be
made between men and women for the same work.

Part 3 article 24 Right against untouchability and racial
discrimination (1) :
No person shall be treated with any kind of untouchability or
discrimination in any private or public place on grounds of origin,
caste, ethnicity, community, occupation or physical condition. (5) Such
discriminatory treatment shall be punishable, and the victim shall be
entitled to such compensation as determined by law.

Part 3 article 42 Right to social justice (1) :
The economically, socially or educationally backward women, Dalits,
indigenous people, Madhesi, Tharu, minority groups, persons with
disability, marginalised groups, Muslims, backward classes, gender
and sexually minority groups, youths , peasants, labourers, the
oppressed and the citizens of backward regions, and economically poor
Khas Arya shall have the right to employment in state structures on
the basis of the principle of inclusion.

Part 8 article 84 Constitution of House of Representatives (2) :

Approved by Curriculum Development Centre, 130 Unit Four:
Sanothimi, Bhaktapur Civic Sense

This article has the provision to file the candidacy for the election
of the House of Representatives for proportional representation of
the women, Dalits, Adibasi Janajati, Khas Arya, Madhesi, Tharu,
Muslim,and backward regions.
Besides the above-mentioned provisions, the present constitution of Nepal
has many other provisions regarding inclusiveness. The government should
prepare the laws to promote inclusiveness based on the provisions given
in the constitution and implement them. All the citizens should follow the
laws honestly. It helps for maintaining the inclusiveness in Nepal.

Glossary

egalitarian : inclusive, aiming for equality

financially deprived : the condition having the income less than prescribed
in the federal law (according to the constitution of Nepal)

peasants : farmers

ACTIVITIES

(1) Discuss in group to find out the constitutional provisions on
inclusiveness in the constitution of Nepal and share it in the class.

(2) Discuss among your friends and teacher in the classroom and
introduce the following terms in brief.

(a) Egalitarian society (b) Positive discrimination

EXERCISE

(1) Give very short answers to the following questions.
(a) Write the full name of present constitution.
(b) Define nation according to the present constitution.
(c) What do you mean by proportional representation?
(d) Write the meaning of social justice.

Vedanta 131 Approved by Curriculum Development Centre,
Integrated Social Studies and Sanothimi, Bhaktapur
Population Education - Book 8

(e) Which article of our constitution has the provision about right
against untouchability?

(2) Give short answers to the following questions.

(a) What provisions should we make to provide opportunities to the
children, helpless, senior citizens and the people with physical
disabilities?

(b) Write a letter to the speaker of house of representatives with your
ideas for making our country more inclusive in policy and decision-
making levels.

(c) Explain the role of the government and citizens in establish inclusive
society in the country.

(3) Give long answers to the following questions.

(a) Find out any three provisions in the constitution regarding positive
discrimination and explain the need and importance of positive
discrimination in the context of Nepal.

(b) How is the present condition of inclusiveness in Nepal? Explain the
importance of inclusiveness in three points and mention any three
suitable programme or policies that you think are needed to make
our country more inclusive.

Approved by Curriculum Development Centre, 132 Unit Four:
Sanothimi, Bhaktapur Civic Sense

Lesson Salient Features of the Present
Constitution
41..61

Constitution is the supreme law of a country. It is a legal document which
grants a procedure to the government to carry out administrative activities.
It safeguards the rights of citizens. It describes the structures of the main
organs of the government. It is also the mirror of the country. The country
is governed according to it.
After the armed revolution
-2052 and mass revolution-II
(2062/63) were over successfully,
the Interim Constitution of
Nepal 2063 was promulgated
on 1st Magh 2063 B.S. This
constitution has paved the way
to fulfil the dream of Nepali
people to prepare constitution
through the constituent assembly. Then, the election for the constituent
assembly was held on 28th Chaitra, 2064 BS. The first constituent assembly
got dissolved as it couldn’t complete its work in time. Then, the second
constituent assembly election was held on 4th Mangsir 2070 BS. The
second constituent assembly became successful to draft the constitution.
The present constitution, the constitution of Nepal was promulgated on
3rd Ashoj 2072 BS. The present constitution of our country is a historic
constitution. It is more democratic and progressive while compared to its
predecessors. The following are the salient features of this constitution.

(1) A written document:

The Constitution of Nepal is a written constitution. It has 35 parts, 308
articles, and 9 schedules.

(2) Formulated as per the people’s will:

This constitution was drafted according to the will and aspiration of the
people expressed through armed revolution started from 2052 BS and mass
movement-II. It is the first constitution of Nepal completely drafted and
enforced by the representatives of people.

Vedanta 133 Approved by Curriculum Development Centre,
Integrated Social Studies and Sanothimi, Bhaktapur
Population Education - Book 8

(3) A document of political consensus:

This constitution was prepared by the constituent assembly after a long
discussion among the political parties and the concerned people.

(4) Federal, democratic, republic constitution:

The Constitution of Nepal has declared Nepal as a republic country. The
article 61 in part 6 has the provision of the president as the head of the state.
It supports to institutionalise the republican rule in Nepal established on
15th Jestha 2065 BS.

(5) Sovereignty and state power inherent in people:

According to the article 2 of the constitution, the sovereignty and state power
shall be vested in the people of Nepal.

(6) Provisions of human rights:

The Constitution of Nepal has adopted the aspiration of Universal Declaration
of Human Rights (UDHR). It has the provisions of 31 fundamental rights
in part 3, from article 16 to 46. All the fundamental rights are based on the
UDHR.

(7) Independent judiciary and rule of law:

There is a provision of independent judiciary as an important organ of
government in part 11 of this constitution. The constitution has also adopted
the concept of rule of law. The provisions like nobody shall be deprived of
the protection from the law, all are equal by law, nobody shall be punished
for an unpunishable act, everybody gets justice if they are victimised, etc.
have been mentioned in the constitution.

(8) Competent multi-party:

This constitution has the provision of establishment of political parties
in part 29. It provides the permission to the people to establish political
parties and run the country forming government with people's support. This
constitution also prohibits banning on the political parties..

(9) Inclusive constitution:

This constitution has the provisions that prohibit discrimination on the
basis of caste, creed, gender, religion, language, faith, political inclination,
etc. The constitution also encourages the participation of economically,

Approved by Curriculum Development Centre, 134 Unit Four:
Sanothimi, Bhaktapur Civic Sense

socially or educationally backward women, suppressed Madhesis, farmers,
labourers, native people, etc. in the state structure as per the inclusive
policy. Thus, this constitution is inclusive.

(10) Declaration of secularism:

The Constitution of Nepal has declared Nepal as a secular country. The
constitution has also respected all the religions followed by the people in
Nepal equally. There is no any provision about state supremacy of any
religion.

Besides these features, there are many characteristics of this constitutions
as it has several provisions in it. Some of them are:
(1) Provision of amendment with the support of two-third majority of the

members in the parliament.
(2) Provision of bi-cameral federal parliament and uni-cameral provincial

parliament.
(3) Provision of directive principles, policies and responsibilities of the

state.
(4) Provision of constitutional bodies such as National Human Right

Commission, Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority,
Auditor General. and Public Service Commission to support the
government in its day to day administration.
(5) Provisions about adult franchise, periodic election, and complete press
freedom.
(6) Provision of fundamental duties of citizens.
(7) Provision of parliamentary system with conditional provision of not
allowing vote of no confidence against the prime minister for two years.
(8) Declaration of all languages spoken as mother tongues by different
communities as national languages with the provision of Nepali
language as a contact language.

Glossary

promulgated : put a law into effect by official proclamation

predecessors : previous, precursor, forerunner

salient : major, prominent

deprive : prevent somebody from having and doing something

Vedanta 135 Approved by Curriculum Development Centre,
Integrated Social Studies and Sanothimi, Bhaktapur
Population Education - Book 8

vested : granted without any condition
aspiration : desire to achieve things
prohibit : to stop something from being done
bi-cameral : composed of two legislative bodies

uni-cameral : composed of a single legislative body

ACTIVITIES

(1) Prepare a chart containing the salient features of the constitution
of Nepal and demonstrate it in the class.

(2) Divide the students in your class into several groups and ask
each group to explain one salient feature of the constitution.

EXERCISE

(1) Give very short answers to the following questions.
(a) What is constitution?

(b) When was the present constitution of Nepal promulgated?

(c) Why is the constitution considered as the mirror of the state? Write
your opinion in one or two sentences.

(d) Define the terms, republic and sovereignty in your own words.

(2) Write short answers to the following questions.
(a) The Constitution of Nepal is a federal, democratic republic
constitution." Explain this statement in your own words.

(b) Mention any six provisions regarding inclusiveness given in the
constitution of Nepal.

(c) How is the present constitution of Nepal a document of political
consensus prepared as per the people’s will? Explain your answer in
six points.

(3) Write long answers to the following questions.
(a) Introduce the constitution of Nepal in your own words and explain
any three main features of it in brief.

(b) Write a short article on the salient features of the constitution of
Nepal.

Approved by Curriculum Development Centre, 136 Unit Four:
Sanothimi, Bhaktapur Civic Sense

Lesson Duties of Citizens in
Democratic Republic Country
41..71

Democracy is a ruling system in which the existing law of the state gives
power of ruling to the people. It also guarantees the rights of the people and
assures participation of people in all state affairs. Republic is a system in
which the president who is elected directly or indirectly by the people is the
head of the state. Similarly, citizens are the people who are the members of
a state. They owe loyalty to the same state and enjoy protection and rights
from it. The country having democratic republic system assures freedom
and facilities for all round development of the people and the country.
The citizens of democratic republic country have certain moral and
legal civic obligations to enjoy the freedom and facilities granted by the
respective country. They are called civic duties of the citizens. Some of the
such civic duties of citizens are discussed here.

(1) Be loyal to the state:

Every citizen must be loyal to the country which she or he belongs to. She or
he must defend the state against all enemies and dangers during emergency
and serve the nation voluntarily. All the citizens in the country must be
loyal to the state for maintaining peace, security, sovereignty, integrity, and
law and order in the state.

(2) Abide by the law of the state:

The laws are prepared to maintain peace and order in the state. They are
necessary for the welfare of all people in the state. Every citizen must obey
law of the state to maintain peace and order in the country.

(3) Cast vote honestly:

In a democratic country, laws, policies
and programmes for the welfare of the
people and the country are prepared
by the people’s representatives. They
are elected by the people using their

Vedanta 137 Approved by Curriculum Development Centre,
Integrated Social Studies and Sanothimi, Bhaktapur
Population Education - Book 8

voting right. Therefore, it is a fundamental duty of every adult citizen to
caste vote honestly for choosing efficient, honest, hardworking, diligent, and
capable leaders.

(4) Pay tax on time:

Every state under takes various welfare
activities and development activities for
its people from the collected revenue from
its people. Therefore, it is a duty of every
citizen to pay taxes on time. .

(5) Participate in development work:

Participation of people is essential for the effective and sustainable
development. Therefore, it is a duty of every citizen to participate in
development work of her or his country.

(6) Respect other’s right:

Enjoying one’s rights and respecting other’s rights is a democratic norm.
Therefore, everyone should be cautious whether other's right is violated or
not while using her or his rights.

(7) Watch and warn to the work against the national
welfare:

Nobody can do any activity against the national integrity, sovereignty, and
dignity of the state. Every citizen of the state must watch and warn such
activities in the state sincerely.

(8) Protect and utilise public properties:

There are various public properties like playgrounds, roads, rest houses,
taps, schools, government offices, etc. in every state to facilitate the people.
Every citizen has right to use these properties. However, they have to utilise
and protect them.

(9) Be updated with current issues:

Citizens should express their opinions and reaction on different issues

Approved by Curriculum Development Centre, 138 Unit Four:
Sanothimi, Bhaktapur Civic Sense

appropriately. Therefore, it is a duty of every citizen to be updated with
contemporary issues.

Besides these duties, our constitution also has a provision about the following
fundamental duties in article 48.

To protect nationality, sovereignty, and national integrity of Nepal by
being loyal to the nation;
To abide by constitution and law;
To serve the nation compulsorily when the state needs service; and
To protect and conserve public property.

Glossary

abide by : follow and remain attached to
integrity :
obligations : state of being undivided, remaining in unity

contemporary : something which one must do because one has promised,
because of a law; compulsions

belonging to the same time or period

ACTIVITIES

(1) Prepare a chart with the fundamental duties of a citizen, and
display it in the class.

(2) Write a short article on “The duties of a citizen in federal
democratic republic country” and share it in the class.

EXERCISE

(1) Write very short answers to the following questions.

(a) Define democracy in your own words.

(b) What do you mean by a duty?

(c) Write one way to respect the right of others while using your rights.

Vedanta 139 Approved by Curriculum Development Centre,
Integrated Social Studies and Sanothimi, Bhaktapur
Population Education - Book 8

(d) Why should we pay taxes to the government? Give your opinion in
one or two sentences.

(e) How can you help the government in its work? Give any two ways.

(2) Write short answers to the following questions.

(a) Why is democracy the best system of government in the world?
Give your logic in six points to support your answer.

(b) If someone says, "It makes no difference casting vote to anyone,
none looks after us, I don't go to cast vote”, How can you convince
her or him in your locality? Write your logics.

(c) "Every citizen has to watch and warn the work against national
welfare." Explain the statement in your own words.

(3) Give long answers to the following questions.

(a) Make a list of duties of citizens in federal democratic republic Nepal
and explain any three of them in brief.

(b) Complete the following table with any eight civic responsibilities
and their effects each if they are not obeyed.

Civic Responsibilities Effects if not obeyed
1. 1.
2. 2.
3. 3.
4. 4.
5. 5.
6. 6.
7. 7.
8. 8.

Approved by Curriculum Development Centre, 140 Unit Four:
Sanothimi, Bhaktapur Civic Sense

Lesson Federal Legislature and Its
Functions
41..81

Legislative, executive and judiciary are the three main organs of the
government. The legislative prepares the law; the executive executes the
law; and the judiciary interprets the law. The judiciary also gives justice to
the people in the country.

Legislature is the law-making organ of the
government. It is composed of the people's
representatives. The people choose their
representatives for preparing laws through
the elections. It is an important organ of
the government. Preparing laws suitable
for all round development of all people from
different regions, castes, religions, classes,
etc. in the country is the main responsibility
of the legislature. There are different
provisions for formation of the legislative in
the different countries. The part 8 of the Federal Parliament of Nepal

constitution of Nepal has the provision of federal legislative. It is called
federal parliament. It is bi-cameral legislative. It consists of two houses.
They are the House of Representatives and the National Assembly.

The House of Representatives is called the lower house of the Federal
Parliament. It is composed of 265 members as follows: -

165 members elected through the first-past-the-post electoral system
consisting of one member from each of the 165 electoral constituencies.

(a) 110 members elected from proportional representation electoral system
where voters vote for parties, while treating the whole country as a single
electoral constituency.

To lead the meeting of House of Representatives, one speaker and one
deputy speaker are elected from among its members within 15 days of
commencement of first meeting. According to the provision in our constitution,
either the speaker or deputy speaker shall be a woman. They must also be
from different parties.

Vedanta 141 Approved by Curriculum Development Centre,
Integrated Social Studies and Sanothimi, Bhaktapur
Population Education - Book 8

National Assembly is called upper house of the Federal Parliament. National
Assembly is a permanent house. It consists of 59 members as follows: -
(a) 56 members (8 members from each province, including at least 3 women,
1 Dalit, 1 person with disability or minority) elected from an electoral
college comprising members of provincial assembly and chairpersons and
vice-chairpersons of village assembly and mayors and deputy mayors of
municipal assembly, with different weights of votes for each.
(b) 3 members, including at least 1 woman, to be nominated by the President
on the recommendation of Government of Nepal.
The candidates for a member of House of Representatives and National
Assembly in Nepal must fulfil the following criteria.
(a) A citizen of Nepal, who has attained twenty-five years of age for the House
of Representatives and thirty-five years of age for the National Assembly;
(b) Who has not been punished for any criminal offence involving moral
turpitude;
(c) Not ineligible under any law; and
(d) Not holding an office of profit.
Federal Legislature has the following functions as an important organ of
the government.

(1) Formulation of the laws:

It is the main function of legislature. The members of legislature bring
proposal of law in the meeting of legislative. This is known as a bill. After
the discussion, it is passed as a law with the support of majority members.
The law prepared through this process will be implemented after the final
approval from the president.

(2) Controlling finance of the country:

Legislature approves the budget prepared by the finance minister. After the
approval from legislature, government can spend the budget of the country.

(3) Selection of the Prime Minister to lead the executive:

Legislature selects the Prime Minister with the vote of confidence with
majority support.

Approved by Curriculum Development Centre, 142 Unit Four:
Sanothimi, Bhaktapur Civic Sense

(4) Supervise and control the work of the government:

Legislature supervises and controls the work of the government. It raises
question about the policies and programme brought by the government. If
the government does not become responsible to this body, the members of
the legislature pass the vote of no confidence motion against the government
by the majority.

(5) Amendment of the existing law and constitution:

Legislature amends the existing laws as per the need of the country.
Similarly, it amends any clause of the constitution and law by passing the
proposal of amendment with two-third majority.

Glossary

electoral constituencies : areas allocated for election purpose

bill : a proposal of law tabled by the members of
parliament

no-confidence motion : a proposal claiming that someone in power
such as Prime Minister has no support from
the member of parliament

amendment : correction, change

ACTIVITIES

(1) Suppose your classroom is a small parliament. Your class captain
and assistant captain are the speaker and deputy speaker of the
House of Representatives. Now, amend the classroom rules that
you had prepared before with the support of two- third majority
in the class.

(2) If you got a chance to meet a member of the legislative parliament,
what questions would you ask her or him regarding formulations
of suitable laws to solve existing socio-economic problems in our
country? Prepare a questionnaire with appropriate questions.

Vedanta 143 Approved by Curriculum Development Centre,
Integrated Social Studies and Sanothimi, Bhaktapur
Population Education - Book 8

EXERCISE

(1) Give very short answers to the following questions.
(a) Name the three main organs of the government.
(b) Name the present speaker and deputy speaker of the federal
parliament of Nepal.
(c) What do you mean by bi-cameral legislature?
(d) How many members are there in the federal parliament of Nepal?
(e) How many nominated members are there in the federal parliament
of our country?

(2) Write short answers to the following questions.
(a) Write about the law-making process in the parliament in brief.
(b) Mention the qualifications required to be a member of the federal
legislative in Nepal.
(c) How does legislature control the finance of the country? Explain
your answer.

(3) Give long answers to the following questions.
(a) Describe the formation of the legislative according to the constitution
of Nepal.
(b) What are the main functions of legislative? Explain three of them in
brief.

Approved by Curriculum Development Centre, 144 Unit Four:
Sanothimi, Bhaktapur Civic Sense

Lesson Federal Executive and
Its Functions
41..91

Executive is an important organ of the government which executes the
laws prepared by the legislature. Executive also prepares the policies
and programmes based on the law in the state. It is also called by other
names such as the government, cabinet, or council of ministers. The present
constitution of our country has the provision of three levels of executive such
as federal, provincial and local.

The constitution of Nepal has the provisions of federal executive in part
7. According to it, the executive power of the country is exercised by the
council of ministers in the name of the Government of Nepal.

The prime minister is the head of the council
of ministers. The president appoints her or
him on the recommendation of the majority
members of the house of representatives.
The president, on the recommendation
of the prime minister, forms a council
of ministers consisting deputy prime
ministers, ministers, state ministers, and
assistant ministers including the prime
minister. According to the constitution,
all the ministers not exceeding twenty-
five in number are selected from among Singha Durbar

the members of the federal parliament based on the principle of inclusion.
However, the constitution also has the provision to appoint a person who is
not a member of federal parliament as a minister.

The minister appointed according to this provision shall have to receive
membership of the federal parliament within six months of taking oath of
office. If the minister fails to get the membership of the federal parliament
according to this provision, the minister shall not be eligible for reappointment
as minister during the tenure of the existing house of representatives.

The executive contains many ministries chaired by different ministers. There
are many offices under different ministries to carry out the administrative
and development work. The main responsibility of the executive is to

Vedanta 145 Approved by Curriculum Development Centre,
Integrated Social Studies and Sanothimi, Bhaktapur
Population Education - Book 8

maintain peace and security and assure the facilities for food, shelter,
clothes, education, health, and employment to its people. Besides them, the
executive should carry out the following functions for the welfare of the
citizens.

.
To implement the laws prepared by legislature in the country.
To direct, supervise, control, and carry out the ruling system of the
country according to the constitution and other existing law.
To maintain peace and security in the country by maintaining law and
order.
To formulate foreign policies, establish relationship with foreign
countries, sign treaties and agreements with other countries as the
representative of Nepal.
To carry out the development work in various fields like education,
health, transportation, tourism, agriculture, industry, etc.
To bring the economic prosperity in the country.
To decide the amount of taxes in different sectors and collect revenue
from the taxes imposed in the country.
To defend attack from other countries.
To prepare the national budget and utilise it for national development
after approval from the federal parliament.
To issue ordinance in the absence of parliament session.

Glossary

executes : implements
exceed : to be greater, crossing limit
oath : a formal and serious promise
supervise : check, inspect
ordinance : laws prepared by government when the parliament is not

in session

Approved by Curriculum Development Centre, 146 Unit Four:
Sanothimi, Bhaktapur Civic Sense

ACTIVITIES

(1) Prepare a list of present ministers of federal executive with their
ministries in a chart paper and display it in the class.

(2) Make a list of different government offices around your locality
and identify the ministries they are concerned through the
discussion.

Example: Police stations - Home Ministry

EXERCISE

(1) Give very short answers to the following questions.
(a) What are the three different executives prevailed in Nepal?
(b) Which part of our constitution has the provision of federal executive?
(c) What do you mean by vote of confidence?
(d) Who is the present chief minister of your province?

(2) Write short answers to the following questions.

(a) If you became the prime minister of your country, what three
programmes would you bring? Make a list of your programmes and
their benefits to the nation.

(b) Why should the federal executive be responsible to the federal
legislative? Explain your answer in a paragraph.

(c) What do you mean by council of ministers? How is the federal
council of minister formed in Nepal?

(d) Make a list of the functions of the executive on the priority basis
from the most important to the least important one.

(3) Give long answers to the following questions.

(a) What are the three different levels of the executive in Nepal?
Introduce them in brief and make a list of any four major functions
of the executive at local level.

(b) Make a list of any four major functions of the federal executive and
write about each of them in brief.

Vedanta 147 Approved by Curriculum Development Centre,
Integrated Social Studies and Sanothimi, Bhaktapur
Population Education - Book 8

Lesson

41.1.10 Judiciary and Its Functions

Judiciary is an important organ of government which gives justice to the
people. It is an authentic organ to interpret the constitution and existing
law of the country. Judiciary explains the law prepared by legislature and
executed by executive. It helps to maintain the rule of the law in the country.
It also protects the fundamental rights of the people. The independent,
impartial, competent and powerful judiciary makes democracy effective and
successful in the country.

The Constitution of Nepal has the provision about judiciary in part 11.
According to the article 126(1), judicial power of Nepal is exercised by the
courts and other judicial bodies in accordance with the provisions of the
constitution and other laws as well as recognised principles of justice. There
are three tiers of court to perform the judiciary task in Nepal. They are:

(1) Supreme court
(2) High court
(3) District court

(1) Supreme Court:

The Supreme Court is the apex level court
in the judicial hierarchy of Nepal. All the
courts and judicial institutions except
military court and any specialised tribunal
are under this court. It is also called court
of record as the decisions made in the
courts are recorded for perpetual memory
and testimony. The verdict given by the
supreme court is final in our country. It
also directs and supervises other courts
and judicial institutions in the country.
There are 20 judges in addition to the chief
Supreme Court

justice in this court. However, maximum
ten temporary judges can be appointed for a certain period if the number of
cases is very high in the court.

Approved by Curriculum Development Centre, 148 Unit Four:
Sanothimi, Bhaktapur Civic Sense

The president appoints the chief justice on the recommendation of
constitutional council and other judges on the recommendation of judicial
council.

The tenure of the office for the chief justice and other judges in the supreme
court is six years from the date of their appointment. However, they retire
at the age of 65 years.

A Nepali citizen who has worked as a judge in the supreme court for at least
three years is eligible for the appointment of the chief justice. Similarly, a
Nepali citizen who fulfils any one of the following criteria is eligible for the
appointment as a judge of the supreme court.

graduated in bachelor degree of law and worked as a judge of a high
Court or in any equivalent office of the judicial service for five years.
or
practised law for at least fifteen years as law graduate senior advocate
or advocate.
or
worked for fifteen years in the judicial or legal field.
or
worked as a gazetted first-class officer or a higher post of the judicial
service for at least twelve years

(2) High Court:

According to the constitution of Nepal, there
is a high court in each province. The high
court can initiate a contempt of court case
and punish according to the law against
anyone obstructing its or its subordinate
court’s act of judicial execution or not
abiding by its order or verdict.

Every high court has a chief judge and other High Court
judges specified by the federal law appointed
by the chief justice on the recommendation
of judicial council. The retirement age of
the judges in high courts is 63 years.

A Nepali citizen graduated in law who has fulfilled one of the following
criteria is eligible for the appointment of the chief judge and other judges of

Vedanta 149 Approved by Curriculum Development Centre,
Integrated Social Studies and Sanothimi, Bhaktapur
Population Education - Book 8

high courts.
worked as a district judge for at least five years.
practised as a law graduate senior advocate or advocate for at least ten
years.
has either taught law or conducted research thereon or worked in any
other field of law or justice for at least ten years.
worked in any post of gazette first class officer of the judicial service for
a period of at least five years.

(3) District Court:

The district court is very important court
in Nepal established at district level.
Each district has a district court. It is the
lowest tier court of Nepal. All the local level
judicial institutions established according
to the provincial law shall remain under
the district court. People who need judicial
solutions for protection of their rights can
file the case in this court. However, they
also can refile the case to the high court if
the decision given in the district court is not District Court

satisfactory. The district court may inspect, supervise and issue necessary
instructions to its subordinate judicial institutions.

The chief justice, on the recommendation of judicial council, appoints the
judges of district courts. The retirement age of the judges in district courts
is 63 years.

Judiciary is a special organ of the government which provides the justice to
the people who are victimised. We can highlight its main functions as given
below.

It supervises whether the law is practised in a right way or not.
It punishes the lawbreakers based on the existing law.
It protects the fundamental rights and freedom of citizens in the
country.
It interprets the existing laws in the country and supports to formulate
the laws.
It provides the legal advice to the government and the legislative when
they wish.

Approved by Curriculum Development Centre, 150 Unit Four:
Sanothimi, Bhaktapur Civic Sense