Nepal to amend Constitution to address Madhesis’ demands, India welcomes move

GoI welcomes these developments as positive steps that help create the basis for a resolution of the current impasse in Nepal: MEA

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 21, 2015

EAM was informed by Nepal’s Deputy PM & Foreign Minister today that Nepalese Cabinet took decisions to resolve…(contd): MEA

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 21, 2015

…demands regarding the Constitution raised by agitating Madhes-based parties: MEA pic.twitter.com/QttvrOcFln

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 21, 2015

The decision was taken at an emergency Cabinet meeting held at Singha Durbar here last 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.

Read more | Kathmandu blinks on its Constitution

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.

At least 50 people have been killed in protests by Indian-origin Madhesis since August. Madhesis, who reside in Terai region, constitute nearly 52 per cent of Nepal’s population.

The meeting decided to move forward with the bill to amend the new Constitution which has already been tabled in parliament.

“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”.

The decision of Nepal cabinet is expected to be welcomed by India, which has been asking the government in the Himalayan nation to address the political problems facing that country and seek a broad-based acceptance of the Constitution adopted on September 20.

The three-point proposal has been discussed at several rounds of talks with the agitating parties which have expressed some reservations and demanded further clarity.

Similarly, the meeting also urged the agitating parties to call off their protests, saying that their demands can be addressed through dialogue.