Lawmakers stress proportional inclusion

Kathmandu: Lawmakers and stakeholders concerned have stressed the strengthening of proportional system as per spirit of constitution.

They expressed worry over weak status of proportional inclusion during the meeting of the Women and Social Affairs C0mmittee under the House of Representatives on Thursday.

The meeting discussed the roles played by the Indigenous Nationalities Commission, and the National Foundation for Upliftment of Indigenous Nationalities on mainstreaming the indigenous people.  The sociocultural and political situation of the indigenous people were analysed by the lawmakers.

Committee Chairman Kiran Kumar Saha said all sides’ cooperation is essential to make State mechanisms inclusive. The Commission should not only make recommendations but also enforce the provisions.

On the occasion, Secretary at Commission, Nurhari Khatiwada, made presentation on activities and achievements of the Commission. Similarly, project officer at Foundation shared related information.

Commission’s Chairman Ram Bahadur Thapa shared declining trend of proportional inclusion in election from 2063BS to 2079BS.Inclusion was declined by 3 percent since 2074BS election.

“Although the legal provisions mentioned inclusion, facts and figure show decreasing trend,” he added. Project officer Rai complained that the State has failed to provide adequate resources to the Commission and Foundation to elevate the status of indigenous nationalities.  He further argued that the institutions were at work to protect culture of the indigenous people despite limited resources.

As per Foundation’s data, number of Humli had reached 61. More study and research were needed on the communities facing extinction in Nepal. Budget crunch had hit hard the research works, Rai wailed.

Speaking in the discussion, lawmakers Maya Rai, Kalpana Minya, Saraswati Bajimaya, Ishwor Bahadur Rijal, Harka Maya Bishwokarma, Shanti Shrestha, Shova Gyawali and others viewed status of indigenous people must be elevated with effective enforcement of proportional inclusion.

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