THT 10 YEAR SAGO: Post-poll, vital issues on the back burner

Kathmandu, May 9, 2008

A number of vital decisions have been put on hold considering the post-election transition phase, government sources said. On February 4, the incumbent cabinet had decided to speed up the process to form five commissions, namely the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Investigation Commission on the Cases of Disappearances, Commission to Restructure the State, Study and Recommendation Commission for Scientific Land Reforms and the High-level Peace Commission. This decision has not yet been implemented.

Also on hold are the formation of a monitoring committee for effective implementation of the Peace Accord and other agreements. “The cabinet’s political committees were due to start discussions on the formation of these commissions immediately.

However, the discussions were not initiated as the election fever gripped the nation,” a cabinet source said. The ruling coalition did not bother to speed up the formation of these bodies in the run-up to the Constituent Assembly polls.

As a result, these bodies are virtually in a state of suspended animation now,” the source added. Also in limbo is the integration of Maoist People’s Liberation Army and Nepal Army. “I believe that the integration should not be accomplished within two months,” Local Development Minister Dev Gurung said, adding that the next government under Maoist leadership will expedite the integration.

Mock CA to draft ‘statute’

Kathmandu, May 9, 2008

A model constituent assembly meeting is being held in Bhaktapur from May 12 to 22 to prepare a draft constitution with participation of people from different regions, ethnic communities and religious communities.

Around 100 representatives from 48 districts are coming to the capital to participate in the assembly. Local-level mock assemblies were held in Dharan, Udayapur, Janakpur, Birgunj, Hetauda, Lalitpur, Pokhara, Pyuthan, Butwal, Nepalgunj and Jumla last week and the assemblies nominated or elected eight members from each district.

The National Coalition Against Racial Discrimination is coordinating with several organisations to hold the meeting. “We have tried to make it as inclusive as possible. We want to prove that a real inclusion in the CA is possible and necessary,” said Sumitra Manandhar Gurung, chairperson of the NCARD, at a press meet today. She added that seats were reserved for Dalits, Madhesis, Adibasi/Janajatis, religious minorities, linguistic communities, backward regions and women in the mock assembly. Some elected CA members will also join the meeting. “The assembly intends to raise awareness about the process of drafting a constitution.

The assembly will draft a parallel constitution with participation of the public.” Gurung added.