KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, said the new constitution has granted equal rights and opportunities to the people from every community.

Addressing the Maghi Festival organised on Friday by the Tharu Welfare Assembly Valley Committee at the Dasharath Stadium, the Prime Minister said," The constitution has not discriminated against the Tharus and the government is committed to uplifting of the Tharu Community."

The country was facing the fuel crisis resulted from obstructions in supplies system via southern borders, he said, adding that this adversity would end very soon.

Pledging the timely completion of widening of the East-West Highway and construction of the mid-hilly highway, he said the post earthquake-reconstruction works would start soon.

The Prime Minister who is also a CPN-UML Chair further urged the political parties to unite for the development of the country and thereby taking it to the path of positive change.

The function at the Dasharath Stadium included the stalls introducing various Tharu's food items such as Ghonghi, crabs, squab, pork, pearl oysters, puffed rice balls called "Lai", sesame seed candies called "Tilwa", breads made of rice flour and other items.

Tharu women and girls were noticed in their traditional costumes to mark the Maghe Sankranti at the function in the stadium.