Surkhet, October 21

Karnali Province government is preparing to amend the provision on perks and benefits for office bearers and members of local levels.

The Supreme Court had annulled six provincial laws that allowed office bearers of local levels to draw monthly salaries on Friday.

The apex court’s verdict was delivered by the constitutional bench of the Supreme Court led by Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher JB Rana. Other justices on the bench were Deepak Kumar Karki, Kedar Prasad Chalise, Meera Khadka and Hari Krishna Karki.

The province government is preparing to amend some words and provisions on perks for local level office bearers in accordance with the constitution and the SC order during the winter session.

Karnali provincial Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law has started internal preparation for the same. Internal Affairs and Law Minister Naresh Bhandari said the SC decision had posed a challenge to them. “The province government will amend the act and manage perks and for office bearers at the local levels,” Bhandari added. He admitted some provincial laws were flawed and pledged to do the needful to rectify them in the winter session of the Provincial Assembly. “My ministry will consult with stakeholders and legal experts and draft a strategy for moving ahead.”

Karnali Province Attorney Bidhya Bhusan Manandhar said the SC verdict had not annulled all the facilities meant for local level office bearers. He said amending the provincial act would settle the problem. Karnali Province has 4,718 local level people’s representatives. They have been receiving Rs 56 million in salary and perks in a year.