KATHMANDU: President Ram Chandra Paudel has urged the government to work in a way that makes citizens feel the presence of the state at their own doorsteps.

The President made this statement while addressing a joint session of the Federal Parliament on Friday.

During his address, he said, “To ensure good governance by controlling corruption and to make citizens feel the presence of the state, public service delivery must be efficient and effective. I am confident that the government will leave no stone unturned in eliminating delays and irregularities in government services and in arranging service delivery in such a way that citizens can feel the government at their doorsteps.”

This was the first time President Paudel addressed the newly elected members of Parliament following the House of Representatives election held on March 5.

On Friday, he addressed the joint session of both the House of Representatives and the National Assembly at the Federal Parliament building in Singha Durbar.

Full Text of the address:

Rt. Honorable Speaker, Rt. Honorable Chairperson of the National Assembly, Honorable Members of the House of Representatives and the National Assembly,

I feel honored to have the opportunity to address this joint session of both Houses of the Federal Parliament following the recently concluded election of members of the House of Representatives.

First of all, I pay heartfelt tribute to all the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the historic movements and struggles repeatedly carried out by the Nepali people, and most recently in the Gen Z movement. I express high respect for the senior leaders who led all the movements and struggles that brought us to the Federal Democratic Republic.

We are all aware that, in order to resolve the complex situation that arose in the country following the youth movement for the promotion of good governance and control of corruption, the then House of Representatives was dissolved with the announcement of forming an interim government under the leadership of Sushila Karki and conducting elections for members of the House of Representatives within six months. On the scheduled date of March 5, free, fair, and peaceful elections have been completed, and a new government has already been formed in accordance with the fresh mandate. On this occasion, I would like to congratulate all political parties and candidates who participated in the election, as well as the elected representatives. I wish them success in their tenure.

The main responsibility of the interim government was to conduct the elections on time. Accordingly, I would like to sincerely thank the then government for efficiently fulfilling its responsibilities by bringing state mechanisms back on track, reducing corruption, promoting good governance, improving service delivery, and protecting constitutional and democratic rights.

I would like to express heartfelt thanks to the then government, the Election Commission, civil servants, security personnel, political parties, and all voters who played their respective roles in making the House of Representatives election peaceful and fair.

In the difficult and sensitive situation of the country, I would like to express gratitude and thanks for the roles and cooperation carried out by all political parties, youth activists and leaders, constitutional bodies, security agencies, civil servants, the entire state machinery, and for the patience shown by the Nepali people.

I would like to express heartfelt thanks to the then government, the Election Commission, civil servants, security personnel, political parties, and all voters who played their respective roles in making the House of Representatives election peaceful and fair.

Through the election, a House of Representatives has been formed with unprecedented representation of the youth in Nepal’s parliamentary history, and the new government has already begun its work. This has clearly conveyed a message of the attraction, trust, participation, and leadership development of the younger generation in the federal democratic republican system of governance.

The people aspire for a responsible and transparent system of governance, effective service delivery, an end to corruption at all levels and sectors, promotion of good governance and the rule of law, creation of employment opportunities within the country, an end to impunity, and promotion of social justice, rapid socio-economic development, peace, and stability. This was also the essence, sentiment, and aspiration expressed by the Nepali people through repeated people’s movements, struggles, and most recently, through the youth movement.

To fulfill these aspirations of the people, Parliament must enact citizen-centered and welfare-oriented laws. I am confident that the government will ensure effective and result-oriented implementation of the laws in accordance with their spirit and intent. Likewise, only if the judiciary can deliver swift, independent, and impartial justice will it truly honor the martyrs who sacrificed their invaluable lives for change.

The past 10 years of practice and experience in implementing the current Constitution are important for us. The pillars of the federal democratic republic have been institutionalized. However, much work still remains to be done in accordance with the letter and spirit of the Constitution and the aspirations of the people.

The aspirations of today’s youth are much newer than in the past. They want to learn new things. Traditional labor sectors alone cannot meet the expectations of the workforce entering the labor market. Therefore, the government will focus on improving the education system so that it can produce a workforce capable of meeting market demands and create new employment opportunities, as well as encourage the youth who have migrated abroad to return and settle in their own country and villages.

Similarly, I am confident that the government will not delay developing a culture that respects labor and ensures fair returns for work, thereby changing the perception that nothing can be achieved by working in the country. No nation has progressed with a discouraged workforce. The government will pay special attention to breaking the current state of frustration seen among youth and educated but unemployed individuals.

To ensure good governance by controlling corruption and to make citizens feel the presence of the state, public service delivery must be efficient and effective. I am confident that the government will leave no stone unturned in eliminating delays and irregularities in government services and ensuring that citizens feel the presence of government at their doorstep.

I am confident that the government will not delay developing a culture that respects labor and ensures fair returns for work, thereby changing the perception that nothing can be achieved by working in the country.

Considering the conflicts and instability seen in the global environment in recent times, there is a need for the government and all concerned parties to move forward with balanced, trustworthy, and mutually respectful diplomatic relations with neighboring and friendly countries, keeping national interest at the center.

To mitigate the negative impacts of climate change on us, the government will take appropriate initiatives with the global community for climate justice.

To strengthen the democratic republic in the country, promote national unity, and achieve the common goal of economic prosperity, we must move forward united rather than divided, learning from past bitterness instead of dwelling on it.

Finally, I call upon all Nepali people, elected representatives, political parties, and state mechanisms to move forward united in the journey of good governance, development, and prosperity by embracing democratic values, norms, and ideals. I express confidence that the sovereign Parliament will succeed in articulating the aspirations of the Nepali people for freedom, social justice, good governance, and prosperity.

Jai Nepal.

(Friday, April 10, 2026)