KATHMANDU, Oct 19: The government has constituted a five-member talks team headed by Deputy Prime Minister Kamal Thapa to hold dialogue with the agitating United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF).
The committee formed as per the decision of the meeting of Council of Ministers Monday comprises Minister for Law, Justice and Federal Affairs Agni Prasad Kharel, Minister for General Administration Rekha Sharma and Minister without Portfolio Ram Janam Chaudhary. One member from the major opposition Nepali Congress will be included in the committee.
The government is expected to consult with the Congress leadership to give full shape to the committee soon, Minister for Industry Som Prasad Pandey said after the meeting.
New committee formed to hold talks with agitating Madhesi Front
The talks team formed for the same purpose by the previous government under the convenorship of the then Forest Minister Mahesh Acharya held various rounds of talks with the agitating parties, but in vain.
The new talks panel has the participation of Minister Chaudhary who is from the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum Nepal (Democratic), the party unhappy with the contents of new constitution.
The country is facing an acute shortage of petroleum products as supplies into the country from India have been obstructed due to the agitation in the Tarai/Madhes launched by the political parties and groups unhappy with the demarcation of federal units and issues of citizenship in the constitution.
Earlier, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on October 11 sent a letter to the agitating UDMF, an alliance of Madhes-centric parties, summoning the later for talks regarding the ongoing Tarai/Madhes unrest. In response to the government's letter, the UDMF stated that it was not possible to cease the agitation immediately, but it was in favour of sitting with the government for 'meaningful' talks. The UDMF is an association of the Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum Nepal, Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party, Sadbhawana Party and Tarai Madhes Sadbhawana Party.
Confusion in India addressed
DPM Thapa briefed the meeting on clearing the confusion of the Indian leadership on Nepal's new constitution and spoke of the Indian assurance in facilitating the obstruction in supply of essential goods into the country in the coming days.
He added that the Indian leadership was still reluctant on opening the Birgunj's Raxaul point but were ready to facilitate supply from other routes and clear the misunderstanding.
Prison sentence remitted
The cabinet meeting held for the first time after the second phase of its expansion also decided on amending the Imprisonment Regulation in order to remit the remainder of the prison term of those prisoners who have completed 40 per cent of their sentences and were not convicted of serious criminal offences. The decision was also made on remitting the sentences of prisoners that have reached 65 years of age and above.
Minister Pandey said the earlier regulation stipulated remitting the remainder of the prison term of those who have already served 50 per cent of their sentences and prisoners reaching 70 years of age and above. The decision to remit the sentences was taken on the occasion of the promulgation of the new constitution. RSS
