The three-member government taskforce formed to address the agitating Madhes-based parties’ concerns over the Local Level Restructuring Commission (LLRC) report has recommended an increase in number of local units in eight districts of Province 2.

The taskforce, formed on February 2, submitted its recommendation to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Thursday evening.

The recommendation was made after the taskforce held discussions with the lawmakers from eight districts of Province 2.  Of the 719 local units recommended by the LLRC in its report, 34 percent, or 236 units, fall in the Tarai region, which the Morcha constituents have objected to.

The Madhes-based parties, which did not let the LLRC technical committees to carry out their works in Province 2, have been demanding that the local level restructuring should be done on the basis of population. The taskforce, led by Minister for Federal Affairs and Local Development Hitraj Panday, though has suggested an increase in number of local units in Province 2, it has stopped short of saying how many units should be added. 

Since the LLRC had earlier fixed the ceiling of local units at 744, it is believed 25 units could be added in Province 2. 

The taskforce has also suggested that recommendations from other district technical committees of the LLRC be adopted while revising the report. 

Locals in various districts including Khotang, Bajhang and Nuwakot had staged protests, saying the LLRC had ignored recommendations made by the technical committees. “We are hopeful that the disgruntled parties will accept the report after the revision,” said Minister Pandey after submitting the recommendation.

Implementation of the LLRC report is a must to hold local level elections, which the government is planning for May-June.