KATHMANDU: In one of the first attempts to implement the federal structure in line with the new Constitution, the government on Wednesday fixed locations for High Courts to be established in each of the seven provinces.

A Cabinet meeting held today made a such decision to this effect, informed the government spokesperson and Minister for Information and Communications Surendra Kumar Karki after the meeting.

The High Courts would be established in Biratnagar, Morang of Province 1; Janakpur, Dhanusha of Province 2; Patan, Lalitpur of Province 3; Pokhara, Kaski of Province 4; Tulsipur, Dang of Province 5; Surkhet of Province 6; and Dipayal of Doti in Province 7.

The courts would have extended benches in major hubs of the provinces as per the Cabinet decision today.

Accordingly, the Province 1 High Court would have benches in Biratnagar, Ilam, Dhankuta and Okhaldhunga. Likewise, the Province 2 High Court would have benches in Rajbiraj, Janakpur and Birgunj.

The Province 3 High Court's benches would be established in Hetaunda and Patan; and the Province 4's in Pokhara and Baglung.

Likewise, Butwal, Tulsipur and Nepalgunj would have extended benches in Province 5; Jumla and Surkhet in Province 6; and Mahendranagar and Dipayal in Province 7.

Earlier, on Sunday, the Parliament had endorsed three bills so as to restructure the judiciary in line with the new Constitution. President Bidya Devi Bhandari had enacted the bills the next day.

Now, the existing appellate courts would be dissolved.

Other decisions

Meanwhile, the Cabinet extended suggestions to the Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who is embarking on a state visit to India tomorrow, not to sign any long-term agreement, but stress implementation of the past pacts.

The meeting appointed Kulman Ghising as Managing Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority. The post was vacant as Mukesh Raj Kafle resigned from the position earlier this week.

The meeting decided that subsidised grocery shops in 11 places of Kathmandu Valley and other 25 districts be established so as to give some relief to consumers from inflation in the festive season of Dashain, Tihar and Chhath.