Kathmandu, December 3:

CPN-UML general secretary Jhalanath Khanal today asked Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ to show flexibility on the issue of parties’ representation in the special panel for the rehabilitation and integration of the PLA combatants.

The committee is yet to take a complete shape as the Nepali Congress has been insisting on equal representation in the panel formed to decide the fate of the former rebels.

The Maoist side has been insisting that Minister for Peace and Reconstruction should also be included in the panel as an ex-officio member of the committee, besides equal number of members from the major parties.

“The Special Committee representation will not be a big issue once the parties reach a consensus on the panel’s Terms of Reference and are one on how to rehabilitate and integrate the combatants in security organs,” Khanal told mediapersons after meeting the PM at his office in Singha Durbar before the cabinet meeting.

He said Prime Minister Dahal took his advice positively.

Khanal said he also asked the PM to do the needful to immediately constitute all commissions proposed by the June 25 accord reached among the then seven-party alliance.

The parties had agreed to form five commissions -- Truth and Reconciliation Commission, State Restructuring Commission, National Peace Monitoring Commission, High-level Land Reforms Commission and the Commission on Disappearances.

Khanal said the formation of these commissions had been delayed, which would ultimately affect the ongoing peace process and the constitution-making process.