A cabinet meeting on Thursday dissolved the commission formed to resolve the problems of landless squatters as suggested by the High Level Political Committee comprising representatives of the four major political forces -- UCPN (Maoist), the NC, CPN-UML and the United Madhesi Democratic Front. [break]
NC and CPN-UML leaders had been insisting on the dissolution of the commission and its local committees in 25 districts as it was formed by the Baburam Bhattarai-led government. NC and UML had accused the Bhattarai-led government of recruiting hundreds of Maoist and Madhesi cadres in the commission and distributing them money in the name of “squatters”.
Also, vice-chairman and members of the National Planning Commission, who were appointed by the Bhattarai-led government, were also relieved. The government on Friday appointed a new vice-chairman. Appointment of a new vice chairman at the NPC was one of the major demands of NC and UML.
“The decision is appropriate but appointment of new NPC vice-chairman alone is not enough,” NC leader Dr Ram Sharan Mahat told Republica. He said all the other members picked by the Maoist-led government must also be sacked. According to him, there the Bhattarai-led government has made many political appointments, including in public enterprises, district courts and municipalities.
“I hope the Maoists will be ready to scrap such appointments and create an election-friendly environment,” said Mahat.
NC and UML leaders had been repeatedly insisting at the meetings of the High Level political Committee that political appointments must be scrapped to ensure free and fair polls. They claim that political appointees would influence the election process.
Mahat maintained that political appointments -- except for those clearly defined by laws -- made by the Bhattarai-led government after May should be scrapped as the government´s status had already been reduced to a “caretaker” one by the president after the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly (CA) on May 27.
Former NPC Vice-chairman Dipendra Bahadur Chhettri and other members, who were appointed by the Bhattarai-led government, tendered their resignations last week as demanded by NC and UML. Chhettri has been replaced by former Secretary Dr Rabindra Man Shakya.
However, UCPN (Maoist) Vice-chairman Narayankaji Shrestha said his party is not in favor of dissolving the commission that has been working toward resolving the problems of the landless squatters. “We will talk to the government on this issue,” Shrestha told Republica.
NC and UML leaders had been exerting pressure on the government to scrap all political appointments made by the Bhattarai-led government. The chairman of the election government had sought a political decision to this effect, said a minister. “The cabinet meeting decided to dissolve the commission and appoint new members in NPC as the High Level Political Committee took a decision to this effect,” said the minister requesting anonymity. The minister expressed hope that the latest development would help create favorable environment for polls.
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