A government taskforce led by Minister for Federal Affairs and Local Development Hitraj Pandey appears set to recommend adding 22 village councils in eight districts of Province 2.

After the Madhes-based parties objected to the Local Level Restructuring Commission (LLRC) report, which had recommended 236 local units in Province 2, saying that the number of village and municipal councils was not enough, the government on February 2 had formed the three-member taskforce under Pandey. The government had asked the taskforce on February 20 to settle the dispute over local units in Province 2 by increasing the number and address the concerns emanating from other districts.

Addition of 22 village councils will take the number of local units in Province 2 to 258.

 “The recommendation will be made in line with the ceiling fixed by the LLRC,” said Minister for Commerce and Supplies Deepak Bohara, a member of the taskforce.