DEBATE ON FEDERATION CONTINUES IN CA

DEBATE ON FEDERAL STRUCTURE CONTINUES IN CA
Kathmandu, 28 March: Discussion on the State Restructuring Recommendations High Level Commission Report continued at the meeting of Constituent Assembly on Wednesday also, RSS reports.

Most lawmakers expressed their views on their party lines. This is the 118th meeting of the Constituent Assembly. The CA term is expiring on May 27.

As many as 86 lawmakers have taken part in the discussion that started on Monday. The CA is set to hold discussion on the report for six hours today.

UCPN-Maoist lawmaker Agni Prasad Sapkota said the restructuring is appropriate on the basis of identity and capability.

It is the weakness of the Commission that it has suggested to divide the districts and villages, he said, adding that that no discussion was held on the rights of the poor, workers and farmers.

Nepali Congress lawmaker Pradeep Giri said the Commission prepared the report according to the partisan stances of the members rather than based on the reality of the country.

He said the foreign, finance and security rights should be given to the prime minister or the centre, and other rights can be given to the provinces and local level.

CPN-UML's Raghubir Mahaseth said the report could not come out of narrow mindedness. He also said that 'one Madhes one state' will not solve problems, but new states should incorporate the Madhes, hills and the Himalayas.

Madhesi Janadhikar Forurm- Loktantrik's Bhupendra Chaudhary said the report was not independent as it was formed on political sharing.

Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Republican's Atmaram Prasad Sah said there is no alternate to the state restructuring. According to him, the basis of federalism should be cultural, ethnic, linguistic, religious and regional.
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