Article 34 Raj Parishad
(1) His Majesty shall constitute a Raj Parishad, the functions of which shall be as set forth in this Constitution.
(2) The Raj Parishad shall consist of the following members:
- Members of the Royal Family as designated by His Majesty;
- Prime Minister Ex-Officio Member;
- Chief Justice Ex-Officio Member;
- Speaker of the House of Representatives Ex-Officio Member;
- Chairman of the National Assembly Ex-Officio Member;
- Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Raj Parishad Ex-Officio Member;
- Deputy Prime Minister Ex-Officio Member;
- Ministers Ex-Officio Member
- Leader of the opposition in the House of Representatives Ex-Officio Member;
- Field Marshal Ex-Officio Member;
- Bada Gurujyu Ex-Officio Member;
- Commander-in-Chief Ex-Officio Member;
- Mukhya Shahebjyu Ex-Officio Member;
- Chief Commissioner of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority Ex-Officio Member;
- Auditor-General Ex-Officio Member;
- Chairman of the Public Service Commission Ex-Officio Member;
- Chief Election Commissioner Ex-Officio Member;
- Attorney-General Ex-Officio Member;
- Mukhya Chautariya Ex-Officio Member;
- Principal Secretary or Secretary of His Majesty Ex-Officio Member;
- Chief Secretary of His Majesty's Government Ex-Officio Member;
- Inspector General of Police Ex-Officio Member; and
- Such other members as His Majesty may designate from among persons who, being renowned in different fields of national life, or who, having rendered distinguished service, are considered fit to be members of the Raj Parishad.
(3) Persons designated by His Majesty pursuant to sub-clause (a) and (w) of clause (2) shall remain members during the pleasure of His Majesty.
(4) A meeting of the Raj Parishad shall be summoned by the command of His Majesty, and shall be presided over by Him if present at the meeting. If His Majesty is not present at the meeting, and if the Crown Prince has attained the age of eighteen years, the meeting shall be presided over by the Crown Prince, such , and if the Crown Prince has not attained the age of eighteen years, or if He is not present, the meeting shall be presided over by such person as is designated by His Majesty shall so preside, and if no such person has been designated, by the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Raj Parishad.
(5) The Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Raj Parishad shall summon a meeting of the Raj Parishad in the following circumstances and such meeting shall be conducted under his Chairmanship:
- on the demise of His Majesty or if His Majesty proclaims His abdication.
- if at least one-fourth of the total number of members of the Raj Parishad sign a requisition declaring that His Majesty is unable, by reason of mental or physical infirmity, to perform his functions.
(6) A meeting summoned under the circumstances mentioned in sub-clause (a) of clause (5) shall proclaim the accession to the Throne of the heir-apparent to His Majesty in accordance with the law, custom and usage relating to the succession to the Throne. It shall also proclaim the appointment of a Regent or Council of Regency, subject to rules made by His Majesty, in case His Majesty is below the age of eighteen years: Provided that the Regency or Council of Regency proclaimed under this clause shall dissolve on His Majesty attaining the age of eighteen years.
(7) If a meeting of the Raj Parishad, summoned under sub-clause (b) of Clause (5) with the object of deciding whether His Majesty is mentally or physically incapacitated, passes a resolution confirming such incapacity by a majority of two-thirds of its total membership, the meeting of the Raj Parishad shall proclaim the Crown Prince to be the Regent if He has attained the age of eighteen years, and in other circumstances, it shall, subject to rules made by His Majesty, proclaim a Regent or Council of Regency: Provided that the Regency or Council of Regency proclaimed under this clause shall, subject to rules made by His Majesty, dissolve on the demise of or abdication by His Majesty, or on His Majesty informing the Raj Parishad that he is fit to resume the Royal functions.
(8) A Regent or Council of Regency proclaimed under clauses (6) or (7) shall not have any power to decide or to give approval to anything which shall be prejudicial to the interest of His Majesty or His successor.
(9) Nothing in clauses (6) and (7) shall prevent the heir apparent to His Majesty from exercising the powers of the Throne pending a proclamation to that effect.
(10) The Raj Parishad shall transact its business notwithstanding the absence of any of its members at any meeting if: -
- notice of such meeting has been sent to all persons who were members on the date of issuance of the notice; and
- at least one-third of the total number of members are present.
(11) The Raj Parishad may make necessary rules to regulate its business. Until such rules are made, its business shall be regulated by rules made by His Majesty.
(12) Members of the Raj Parishad shall take an oath in the manner as specified by His Majesty.
(13) His Majesty shall appoint the Secretary of the Raj Parishad.
(14) His Majesty may, from among the members of the Raj Parishad, constitute a Standing Committee of the Raj Parishad, consisting of a maximum of fifteen members including a Chairman and the following ex-officio members:
- Prime Minister;
- Chief Justice;
- Speaker of the House of Representatives;
- Chairman of the National Assembly;
- Bada Gurujyu; and
- Commander-in-Chief.
(15) The tenure of office of the Chairman and the members of the Standing Committee of the Raj Parishad other than the ex-officio members shall be four years from the date of appointment. Such members shall be eligible for reappointment.
(16) The office of the Chairman or a member of the Standing Committee of the Raj Parishad shall be deemed vacant under the following circumstances: -
- if he dies; or
- if he is relieved of office by His Majesty;
- if his resignation submitted to His Majesty in writing is accepted by Him;
- if his term of office expires pursuant to clause (15).
(17) In order to be eligible for appointment as the Chairman or a member of the Standing Committee of the Raj Parishad, a person must meet the following requirements: -
- he has reached the age of fifty years;
- he is not disqualified under any law.
(18) The functions, duties and power of the Standing Committee of the Raj Parishad shall be as follows: -
- to submit recommendations on matters referred to it by His Majesty; and
- to carry out the functions relating to the Royal Family as specified by His Majesty.
(19) The Standing Committee of the Raj Parishad may, subject to the provisions of this Article, frame necessary rules to regulate its business. Until such time as these rules are approved by His Majesty, this business shall be regulated by rules made by His Majesty.
(20) The remuneration of the Chairman and the members of the Standing Committee of the Raj Parishad shall be as fixed by His Majesty.
(21) The meetings of the Standing Committee of the Raj Parishad shall be summoned by its Chairman. During discussions on any issue at such meetings, any other member of the Raj Parishad may also be invited.
(22) The Secretary of the Raj Parishad shall also act as the Secretary of its Standing Committee.
(23) The members of the Standing Committee of the Raj Parishad shall take an oath in the manner as specified by His Majesty.
