Govt to establish Service Centers in all 240 constituencies

(Updated with details at 1430 NST, 0950 GMT)

KATHMANDU, APRIL 16: The government that faced strong protests in February over its decision to establish Integrated Service Centers in the eastern Tarai has decided to set up 240 such centers across the country.

"The cabinet has decided to establish Integrated Service Centers in all 240 electoral constituencies," said Minister for Information and Communications and government´s spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara after the cabinet meeting on Thursday morning. [break]

In February, the government decided to establish 58 service centers in the eastern Tarai but had to annul its decision after Madhesh-based political parties protested the move.

Mahara said that such centers are required to provide services like issuance of citizenship certificate and passport to the people from tje nearest possible place from their village. At present, such services are only available in district headquarters.

When asked about possible protests from the Madhesi parties Mahara said that such parties in the government consented for the decision.

Commission on State Restructure

Meanwhile, the government also formed the State Restructuring Commission. Dr Ganesh Man Gurung, former member of the Public Service Commission, has been appointed as the head of the commission that will have representatives from five ruling parties. Sita Thebe has been appointed as a women member of the commission.

Similarly, the cabinet meeting also appointed Data Ram Khanal as the vice chairman of the Social Welfare Council with Ratna Gaha Magar and Dr Chhiwang Sherpa as members.

Advocates Lila Udashi Khanal from Jhapa, Dev Narayan Yadav from Saptari and Shanti Kumari Rai from Khotang have been appointed as the members of the Law Commission.

Cases against Kapilvastu riots-accused withdrawn

The cabinet also decided to withdraw cases against a few persons who were facing charges for their alleged involvement in Kapilvastu riots.

At least 14 persons were killed and property worth millions of rupees was damaged during the riots following the killing of Moit Khan of Chandrauta in the district on September 16, 2007.

The Terai Madhes Democtatic Party had been demanding withdrawal of the cases, accusing the government of filing fake cases against some innocent persons by the then government accusing them of involvement in the riots.

The cabinet also decided to consult with senior lawyers and legal experts to define the constitutional term "major political parties" as demanded by TMDP.