Poudel told the committee that the government has already initiated the process of making the NA an inclusive institution while some other regulations are being formulated.[break]
"We have proposed amendment to the existing Military Act which is under consideration in the cabinet while some other provisions have already been implemented," UML chief whip Bhim Acharya quoted Poudel as saying.
The five-point deal signed just ahead of the extension of the Constituent Assembly´s term for the second time mentions that the NA would be made an "inclusive" institution.
Poudel apprised the committee that the detailed action-plan to make the Army inclusive has already been sent to the State Affairs Committee of the Legislature-Parliament.
According to leaders, the new amendment proposes 45 percent reservation for Janajatis and backward caste in the NA, and the remaining 55 percent for recruitment through open competition. He said that of the total reserved seats, 28 percent has been allocated for the Madhesi and Janajatis living in the Tarai.
Poudel also informed that of the 92,753 NA personnel, 6,196 are Madhesis. The defense minister also told the committee that a separate battalion has been set up for the Madhesis.
The parliamentary committee formed recently has been interviewing the signatories to the five-point deal to monitor its implementation. The committee had also invited Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal to brief it on the progress made so far in the integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants.
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