The bill was drafted aiming to provide social justice and bring the people of dalit communities in the mainstream of national development by promoting and protecting their rights. [break]
A meeting of the Legislation Committee held this aafternoon in Singha Durbar gave a final touch to the two-day-long discussions and clause-wise discussion would be started in the next meeting, chairperson of the Legislation Committee of the Parliament, Yashoda Gurung said.
However, the lawmakers have been divided over whether or not dalit groups exist in Newar communities as included in the schedule of the draft as ´Dalit group of Newar Community´.
Lawmakers from Newar communities, Mangal Siddhi Manandhar, Buddha Ratna Manandhar, Sunil Prajapati and others said there are no dalit groups and therefore no caste discrimination in Newar community and demanded to scrap the schedule. The bill has included Kapali, Kusule, Pode, Chyame, Deula, Khadgi and Kasahi of Newar community in the list of dalit groups.
However, lawmaker Tilak Pariyar, Chhabilal Bishwokarma, Khadga Bahadur Basyal, Khimlal Devkota, Laxman Lal Karn, Padma Lal Bishwokarma, Bishwendra Paswan and others said that the dalit groups of Newar community were enjoying some extra facilities from the State.
The lawmakers agreed to resolve the issue by holding discussions with the groups concerned.
Chairperson Gurung said the bill will be submitted in the Legislature-Parliament with amendment based on consensus after completing necessary discussions on it.
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