The government has declared that National Day will be celebrated on September 20, marking the day the Constituent Assembly promulgated the new constitution.    

Nixing the earlier decision, a Cabinet meeting on April 29 made the decision, instructing the Foreign Ministry to inform all its diplomatic missions abroad and Kathmandu-based diplomatic missions about the new decision.

This is the second time in three years that the National Day has been changed.

The incumbent government has annulled the previous decision made by then Khil Raj Regmi-led government to mark the event on May 28.

September 20 is declared as National Day to commemorate the promulgation of the new Constitution by the elected sovereign Constituent Assembly and urged the diplomatic missions to organise National Day function annually, reads the Cabinet decision on April 29.   

The government decision to forward the proposal through the Foreign Ministry this time as opposed to earlier practice of moving such proposals through Home Ministry has taken aback officials.

“We are amazed to hear the decision being forwarded by the Foreign Ministry,” Home Ministry Spokesperson Yadav Koirala said, adding that the jurisdiction falls under their ministry. An annual calendar, published by the Home Ministry at the end of Nepali Year, on March 31, mentions Jestha 15 (May 28) as Republic Day and Asoj 3 (September 20) as Constitution Day.

A senior Foreign Ministry official, however, said the decision was made to observe landmark day on September 20 to institutionalise the agendas of change.

The incumbent govt has annulled the previous decision made by then Khil Raj Regmi-led govt to mark the event on May 28