He informed that the leaders were close to a deal on all other issues except the number of combatants to be integrated and the rehabilitation package.[break]
“NC leaders were ready to integrate 5,000 combatants and provide Rs 300,000 to Rs 500,000 each to the combatants. But we failed to finalize the deal after the Maoists insisted on integrating 7,000 combatants,” Rijal said at an interaction organized by Reporters´ Club in Kathmandu on Saturday.
“The Maoists also insisted on distributing Rs 700,000 to Rs 100,000 each to the combatants as rehabilitation package.”
Rijal, who is also a member of the special committee formed to oversee the tasks of integration and rehabilitation, said “We are ready for that as the prime minister himself had expressed commitment to reach such an agreement before his India visit.”
He stated that the combatants would be integrated on an individual basis. According to him the special directorate to be formed after integrating the Maoist combatants would be mobilized for rescue operations during natural disasters, industrial and forestry security and development activities.
Rijal said NC would agree on rehabilitation and integration of the combatants as per as the sprit of the interim constitution.
“The integration and rehabilitation of combatants can´t be done against the interim constitution. Group integration will not be beneficial for anyone,” he added.
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