The Cabinet on Monday endorsed a new proposal on constitution amendment, which seeks to address the concerns of the Madhes-based parties by putting the issue of federal boundaries on hold.

 “The Cabinet has decided to withdraw the earlier proposal and approved the new one,” Minister for Sports Daljit Shrepaili told the Post. 

A constitution amendment bill which was tabled in Parliament on January 8 sought to split Province 2, which was objected by the main opposition CPN-UML. 

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Saturday had said at a public function that a new proposal prepared by the government would be acceptable to all, including the UML and the Madhes-based parties. 

The new amendment proposal, which is likely to be registered in Parliament on Tuesday, has a provision of forming a permanent federal commission which could decide on provincial boundaries on its own. 

According to Ram Narayan Bidari, a CPN (Maoist Centre) lawmaker who was involved in preparing the draft, the proposal seeks to revoke Article 295 (1) and includes a provision of forming a permanent and inclusive federal commission under Article 274.

The to-be-formed federal commission could decide on provincial boundaries even without the consent of the concerned provinces, he said. 

Other three issues related to citizenship, language and representation in the national assembly, which were mentioned in the earlier constitution amendment bill, have been retained in the new proposal. The proposal also seeks to make an amendment to Article 86 (2) to remove chiefs and deputy chiefs of local bodies from an electoral college that will elect the national assembly. As per Article 86 (2), in the 59-strong national assembly, 56 members will be elected by an electoral college comprising members of the provincial parliament, chiefs and deputy chiefs of village councils (rural municipalities) and mayors and deputy mayors of the municipalities. Three members will be nominated by the government. 

Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum-Nepal Co-Chairman Rajendra Shrestha said the Sanghiya Gathabandhan, an alliance of Madhesi and Janajati forces, will take part in local polls “as the government seems to be ready to address some of its demands.” 

Key Points

-     An inclusive federal commission under Article 274

-     Article 295 (1) to be revoked

-     Issues related to citizenship, language and representation in the national            assembly that were mentioned in the earlier constitution amendment bill to be  retained 

-     Amendment to Article 86 (2) to remove chiefs and deputy chiefs of local bodies from an electoral college that will elect the national assembly