The relief package has now been updated by a team of four ministers to incorporate the concerns and issues raised by the ruling parties. The prime minister is holding a press conference Friday morning to unveil the program, which will have been endorsed by a cabinet meeting preceding the press meet. [break]
The main objection of the Madhesi parties was that the relief package looked like a populist move, like the government´s annual programs and policies.
Another thing, according to one minister, is that the relief package lacks programs targeted at Madhes.
The Madhesi ministers also protested a scheme proposing to set up corruption control units at each ministry.
They suggested instead an anti-corruption mechanism comprising representatives from the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), the Home Ministry, the National Vigilance Center, the Department of Intelligence and Nepal Police, with the authority to conduct surprise checks at the ministries.
Another concern of the Madhesi parties was for making citizenship available without any hassle, according to another Madhesi minister.
They were of the view that the secretaries of village development committees (VDCs) should be returned to their respective VDCs to obviate the need for people to come to the district headquarters for recommendations prior to acquiring citizenship certificates.
To instruct local administrations to immediately return seized land and property.
- Govt to provide Rs 200,000 to 50,000 youths under youth employment program
- To form unified team to curb corruption
- Subsidize LP gas (a cylinder a month per family) and kerosene (5 liters for those dependant on oil lamps)
- Subsidy on chemical fertilizers
- Relief program for those affected during foreign employment
- Smooth distribution of citizenship across country
- General beds in government hospitals to be free of charge.
- Loan to poor who want to buy rickshaws
- To control artificial price rise.
- Control illegal activities and dance bars
- Program before Dashain and Tihar for victims of various movements
- Smooth supply of daily use goods at cheap price
- Electricity tariff on irrigation to be waived
According to a third Madhesi minister, the Madhesi parties wanted to significantly increase the subsidy on chemical fertilizers and provide concessions on agricultural loans to farmers. Similarly, they wanted to include a scheme for making hospital beds free of charge.
Following reservations on the part of the ruling Madhesi parties, the cabinet had formed a four-member taskforce to change the original content of the relief schemes. The taskforce has finalized the content and the cabinet meeting called for Friday morning will give it a final touch, according to the ministers.
The revised relief package states that the government will give directives to district administration offices to make arrangements for the return of lands seized by the Maoists during the conflict. The package also proposes to give Rs 200,000 each to 50,000 unemployed youths, while subsidizing one cylinder of liquefied petroleum gas per family per month.
Similarly, another relief scheme includes forming an anti-corruption mechanism. Yet another scheme promises to make beds in government hospitals free of charge for all. It also offers a significant subsidy on chemical fertilizers.
Key cabinet appointments
The cabinet meeting on Thursday appointed Deputy Prime Minster and Minister for foreign affairs as government spokesperson.
The cabinet meeting held at Singha Durbar appointed UCPN (Maoist) also appointed politburo member Devendra Poudel as prime minister´s political advisor and central member Ramrijhan Yadav as the press advisor for the prime minister.
Similarly, the government appointed former governor of Nepal Rastra Bank Dipendra Bahadur Chhetri as the vice-chairman of the National Planning Commission and Janak Shah and Dr Shiva Kumar Rai as its member.
Likewise, Durga Prasad Bhattarai has been appointed as acting foreign secretary.
The cabinet also decided to amend the existing national dress code and withdraw the inclusive bill to make necessary changes.
Earlier, the Madhav Kumar Nepal-led government had recognized daura suruwal as the national dress.
The meeting also decided to send a 13-member delegation led by PM Dr Baburam Bhattarai to the 66th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Related story
Homestay not attracted by subsidy
