Deliberations on SRC report continue

KATHMANDU: Discussion on the report submitted by the State Restructuring Commission (SRC) is underway even on Thursday at the meeting of the Constituent Assembly (CA).

Lawmakers have been delivering their opinions over the report for the last three days.

CA Chairman Subash Chandra Nembang has offered six hours for lawmakers based on the political parties represented by the lawmakers for deliberations.

Commenting on the report, United CPN-Maoist lawmaker Hisila Yami said federal states should be made based on ethnic and regional lines and capacity and identity should be taken into consideration while doing so.

Jiban Prem Shrestha of Nepali Congress said all have accepted capability and identity for state restructuring and the report of the minority members of the SRC would be a strong base for dispute resolution regarding the federalism.

Likewise, UML lawmaker Bishnu Paudel said that the SRC has added to problems instead of resolving the thorny issues and said identity and capability were the main basis for state restructuring.

Also speaking at the meeting, lawmaker of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Democratic Om Prakash Yadav said ethnicity-based federalism was not acceptable and Madhes was not a region of a single ethnic community. He said provinces should be made by incorporating all castes and cultures.

Likewise, Ramsah Prasad Yadav of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Nepal, said constitution sans federalism was unacceptable.

Similarly, Basanti Jha of Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party said main demand of the Madhes Movement was autonomous Madhes and added that attempts are being made to play with the sentiments of the Madhes people.

Taking part in the deliberations, Sarita Yadav of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Democratic said federalism with local government was expected.

Likewise, Govinda Chaudhary of Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party-Nepal said state restructuring should be done by ensuring rights to indigenous, Muslims, backward communities, mountainous, hilly and Tarai regions.

Similarly, Dr Prakash Chandra Lohani of Rastriya Janashakti Party said provision of being the chief minister of a single caste (ethnic community) in the federal state would escalate tensions if this clause was included.

Taking part in the deliberations, lawmaker Lila Nyaichyain of Nepal Peasant and Workers Party said that federalism was not needed for ethnic identity while Mina Pun of Rastriya Janamorcha said ethnic based federalism would flare up conflict in the country.

Likewise, Anil Jha of Sanghiya Sadbhavana Party said federalism should ensure rights and identity of all.

Similarly, Sarita Giri of Nepal Sadbhavana Party said state restructuring should be done by respecting the voices of Madhesi, indigenous and nationalities.

Rukmini Chaudhary of Sanghiya Loktantrik Rastriya Manch stressed for identity, language, ethnicity and region for state restructuring. "I don’t believe in indivisible Chitwan and Indivisible Far-West and 'One Madhes, One Province', she said.

Lawmaker of Samajbadi Prajatantrik Janata Party-Nepal, Prem Bahadur Singh said ethnicity, gender and region should be made basis for federalism.

Likewise, Lokendra Bis