Kathmandu to amend new laws to address Madhesis’ demands

The decision was taken at an emergency Cabinet meeting held at Singha Durbar here Sunday night which also agreed to set up a political mechanism to recommend solutions to disputes over the proposed provincial boundaries within three months of its formation.

Protests over divisions 

The agitating Madhes-based parties have been protesting for over four months against the seven-province model proposed in the new Constitution that divides their ancestral land as a way to politically marginalise them.

They have blockaded Nepal’s border trade points with India, causing a shortage of essential goods and medicines in the landlocked country. 

“The bill has ensured proportional inclusive participation in various state organs as demanded by the agitating parties and has also proposed delimitation of the electoral constituencies based on population,” Minister for Industry Som Prasad Pandey told reporters after the meeting. On political mechanism, he said, it “will recommend solutions to disputes over the proposed provincial boundaries within three months of its formation”.