Peace process will conclude soon, says finance minister

Kathmandu, May 28

Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel has said government would conclude the peace process soon by completing the remaining tasks in a time-bound manner.

Presenting the budget for fiscal year 2016-17 at the Parliament on Saturday, Minister Paudel said the government has allocated necessary budget for distribution of the remaining amount promised to the families of those killed in the conflict and Rs 200,000 each to disqualified combatants and those who preferred voluntary retirement.

“Necessary budget has also been allocated for educating the conflict-hit families via Martyrs Academy and free treatment facilities for those injured during the conflict,” said Paudel. He further said a high-level recommendation committee would be formed to identify martyrs. He said both the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission for the Investigation of Enforced Disappeared Persons, which have been formed to look into conflict-era cases, would be equipped with all the necessary resources. Identity cards would be distributed to the families of martyrs and families of those disappeared during the conflict, he said.

FM Poudel said the government would give continuity to the reconstruction of infrastructures damaged in the earthquake and Development for Peace Programme besides allocating necessary budget for Ganeshman Peace Campaign.

The government also plans to present 138 bills in the Parliament to ensure that citizens enjoy the fundamental rights guaranteed by the new constitution. FM Poudel said revenue would be divided and handed over to the provinces, but existing local bodies would continue to function until the provinces are delineated.

He said the government was preparing to hold local elections by December 15.