KATHMANDU, AUGUST 8

The ruling coalition today unveiled the common minimum programme listing its policies, priorities, and programmes. The coalition government's document was released at a programme in Singha Durbar by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, along with other coalition partners - CPN-Maoist Centre Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Janata Samajbadi Party-Nepal Chair Upendra Yadav, and Rastriya Janamorcha leader Chitra Bahadur KC.

Nepali Congress General Secretary Purna Bahadur Khadka, who led the ruling coalition's taskforce to formulate the CMP, read out the contents of the document.

According to the CMP, the government has pledged to investigate the alleged irregularities in the procurement of health equipment and prosecute the guilty.

The document states that the government will vaccinate one-third of the country's population by mid- October and all Nepalis by mid-April.

It adds that the government will move the process of amending the constitution on the basis of consensus among the parties.

The government will bring special relief packages for the poor, workers, industries, businesses, and media hit hard by the COVID pandemic and also for those who were affected by floods and landslides.

It states that the government will resolve border issues with India, including that of Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani, through diplomatic channels. It adds that the government will review the treaties and agreements that are against national interests.

Although the draft of the CMP had talked of forming a high-level political mechanism to guide the government's work at the centre and to bring local levels under provinces, the final draft that was unveiled today removed these provisions.

The CMP states that the government will complete the remaining tasks of the comprehensive peace agreement signed with the CPN- MC and implement agreements signed with Madhesis and other marginalised groups.

It adds that the government will provide relief and compensation to the families of martyrs, victims of enforced disappearance, and conflict-hit people. It says that one member each from the families of those who were seriously injured during the past agitations will be provided government jobs on grounds of compassion.

The document states that cases filed against people during Madhes agitation shall be reviewed and people unjustly put in jail shall be released.

It pledges to make Lal Commission report public.

The government had formed the commission under the chairmanship of former Supreme Court justice Girish Chandra Lal on 18 September 2016 to investigate killings during the Madhes movement.

It pledges to check degradation of the Chure range and prevent desertification of the Tarai region.

The document states that the government will make appointments to public bodies in a transparent manner.

A version of this article appears in the print on August 9 2021, of The Himalayan Times.