Madhesh province warns of protests if federalism is not effectively implemented

Chief Minister Saroj Kumar Yadav said they would be compelled to come up with programs of peaceful protests if the demands were not addressed by the next 30 days.

NL Today

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Kathmandu: A delegation comprising the Madhesh Province Chief Minister and leaders from the coalition partners on Thursday called on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and submitted a six-point memorandum calling for the effective implementation of federalism. Through the memorandum, the delegation drew the government’s attention towards the ‘non-implementation’ of federalism. It demands that Federal Civil Service Act should have the provision of keeping a secretary to be assigned in the province under the subordination of the province government.

The delegation has sought the devolution of authority of Guthi management and 30 and 20 percent ownership of the province and local governments respectively to the revenue collection from the value added tax and excise duty through the amendment of laws. Similarly, it has proposed the government to amend the law to give the prosecution authority relating to penalties and imprisonment to the province government.

Madhesh Province Chief and Janata Samajbadi Parliamentary Party leader Saroj Kumar Yadav said they would be compelled to come up with programs of peaceful protests if the demands were not addressed by the next 30 days. In response, the Prime Minister acknowledged the demands as ‘genuine’, pledging to make maximum efforts to address them soon, according to Yadav.