Kathmandu, Sep 18 (IANS): Nepal's Constituent Assembly has provided two weeks' time for the Political Dialogue and Consensus Committee (PDCC) to forge consensus on contentious issues of the upcoming new constitution.

The apex body of the Constituent Assembly took the decision with four major political parties present, Xinhua reported.

Speaking in the meeting, Constituent Assembly Chairman Subas Nembang said the parties would have to settle contentious issues coming in the way of framing the new constitution within the end of this month.

Earlier, the parties failed to settle the contentious issues by the end of August.

Though more time has been allocated for parties to forge consensus, the drafting process will not be hampered as the drafting process and consensus efforts would go on simultaneously.

Speaking at the House, PDCC chairman Baburam Bhattarai said he would try to settle contentious issues within the fresh deadline as there is no alternative.

The PDCC is responsible for seeing that consensus is reached.