KATHMANDU, AUGUST 28, 2013 - Fresh debate over the modality of the federal provinces in upcoming state restructuring has begun within the Nepali Congress (NC).
The debate started during the Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting on Wednesday after CWC member Dhan Raj Gurung argued that each federal province should be delineated on a north-south basis to include territory in the hills, mountains and the Tarai-Madhes.
Gurung´s proposal was seconded by CWC members Man Bahadur Bishwokarma, Jiwan Shahi, Meena Pandey and Krishna Chandra Nepali. "We should think about economic viability and other aspects before delineating the federal provinces. Only federal priovinces that incorporate territory in the hills, mountains and the Tarai-Madhes can be viable," a CWC member quoted Gurung as saying.
CWC members are also sharply divided over the number of federal provinces. The political paper presented by Vice-president Ram Chandra Poudel Wednesday during the ongoing CWC meeting.proposes a seven province federal model including four provinces in the hills and mountains and three in Tarai-Madhes, while keeping a 13-province federal option open. NC is to prepare its election manifesto in line with the political paper.
The paper incorporates suggestions received from Mahasamiti members during the Mahasamiti meeting held in Nawalparasi in April.
Some CWC members including Gurung had questioned the basis of the seven-province model proposed in the paper. "While NC stood in favor of a six-province model, which was supported by minor members of the thematic committee on state restructuring in the erstwhile Constituent Assembly, it also proposed six provinces at the High Level Suggestion Committee on State Restructuring," Gurung said. "Where has this seven-province proposal came from?" he asked.
Gurung cited a recent survey conducted by Himal magazine showing that some 60 percent of people want federal provinces to be aligned on a north-south basis.
Those supporting federal provinces incorporating territory in the hills, mountains and Tarai-Madhes argue that the party should stick to the decision of the Mahasamiti to go for federalism with common identity and economic viability, and a democratic constitution with federalism. The CWC meeting will resume at 11 am, Thursday. News Source: Myrepublica.com
The debate started during the Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting on Wednesday after CWC member Dhan Raj Gurung argued that each federal province should be delineated on a north-south basis to include territory in the hills, mountains and the Tarai-Madhes.
Gurung´s proposal was seconded by CWC members Man Bahadur Bishwokarma, Jiwan Shahi, Meena Pandey and Krishna Chandra Nepali. "We should think about economic viability and other aspects before delineating the federal provinces. Only federal priovinces that incorporate territory in the hills, mountains and the Tarai-Madhes can be viable," a CWC member quoted Gurung as saying.
CWC members are also sharply divided over the number of federal provinces. The political paper presented by Vice-president Ram Chandra Poudel Wednesday during the ongoing CWC meeting.proposes a seven province federal model including four provinces in the hills and mountains and three in Tarai-Madhes, while keeping a 13-province federal option open. NC is to prepare its election manifesto in line with the political paper.
The paper incorporates suggestions received from Mahasamiti members during the Mahasamiti meeting held in Nawalparasi in April.
Some CWC members including Gurung had questioned the basis of the seven-province model proposed in the paper. "While NC stood in favor of a six-province model, which was supported by minor members of the thematic committee on state restructuring in the erstwhile Constituent Assembly, it also proposed six provinces at the High Level Suggestion Committee on State Restructuring," Gurung said. "Where has this seven-province proposal came from?" he asked.
Gurung cited a recent survey conducted by Himal magazine showing that some 60 percent of people want federal provinces to be aligned on a north-south basis.
Those supporting federal provinces incorporating territory in the hills, mountains and Tarai-Madhes argue that the party should stick to the decision of the Mahasamiti to go for federalism with common identity and economic viability, and a democratic constitution with federalism. The CWC meeting will resume at 11 am, Thursday. News Source: Myrepublica.com
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