Sunar, 31, on December 10 was thrashed to death in Jubitha-4, Kalikot by Min Bahadur Shahi and Dip Shahi for intruding into the kitchen of an “upper-caste” hotelier, Jas Bahadur Shahi, to light a cigarette. [break]
“As he (Sunar) was killed for untouchability, which is considered as heinous crime, the cabinet meeting decided to provide compensation to the deceased family,” Government Spokesman and Foreign Minister Narayankaji Shrestha told media persons after the cabinet meeting.
The cabinet also decided to set up a special mechanism at the Prime Minister Office (PMO) to launch a campaign to eliminate the practice of untouchability in the society.
Dalit lawmakers, various Dalit rights organizations and activists have been demanding compensation to the family of the deceased, punishment to the culprits and declaration of Sunar as a martyr.
Similarly, the cabinet meeting decided to provide Rs 25,000 each to the family of those killed in the cold wave in the Tarai. Dozens of people have died in cold wave in the Tarai over the last few weeks.
Also, the government has formed a five-member taskforce headed by Maoist lawmaker Devi Kahadka to make recommendations to the government for improvement of prison infrastructure across the country. According to Shrestha, the taskforce will submit its report to the government within two months.
Likewise, the government has promoted Acting Secretary Bheshraj Sharma as Secretary at the Ministry of Law and Justice.
The cabinet meeting also appointed senior advocate Umeshchandra Jha as chairman and advocate Prachandraj Pradhan as vice-chairman of the Nepal Law Commission.
The government has also appointed Vice-chancellor of Tribhuvan University Hira Bahadur Maharjan, Vice-chancellor of Purbanchal University Maheshworman Shrestha, senior professors Dr Bidyanath Koirala and Shivasharan Maharjan as members of the University Grant Commission (UGC).
Dr Mahendra Singh of Kantipur City College and Chirikshobha Tamarakar of Padma Kanya Campus are among other members of UGC appointed on Tuesday.
In a bid to ensure smooth supply of petroleum products, the government also decided to provide 1.5 billion rupees to the Nepal Oil Corporation.
Similarly, the cabinet meeting decided to provide Rs 10 million to the Federation of Nepalese journalists for construction of its building.
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