Rupandehi, November 12:

Minister for Local Development Rajendra Prasad Pandey today said that the interim local bodies comprising represenatives of the seven parties and the Maoists would be formed soon.

Inaugurating the fifth annual general meeting of the Rupandehi Trade Association in Butwal, Pandey said, “The interim government will be formed after the exchange of signatures between the government and the Maoists on the peace accord in a few days; then, the interim local bodies will be formed.”

The Maoists have to stop collecting local taxes and create a conducive atmosphere for the VDC secretaries to work in the villages after the accord is signed by the Maoists, said Pandey, adding that people are having difficulty for want of local bodies.

Pandey stressed the need for reconstructing 2100 VDC buildings and 15 DDC buildings that were damaged by the Maoists.

UML Lumbini zonal in-charge Ram Nath Dhakal among others addressed the function.