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Madhesi people want provincial boundaries settled first

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NIJGADH, July 20: Mustakim Miya of Gardaul, Parsa believes that the proposal in the draft constitution to settle the boundaries of future provinces on the recommendation of a commission is just a ploy to defer federalism in Nepal.

Whether he developed this view about the draft constitution through the discussions held in his locality, no one knows; but this is one of the main reasons why, he claims, he is unhappy with the draft constitution."I wish to put forth my views that the new statute must have provisions on federalism with clear demarcation of state boundaries. But I don't know where to go to give suggestions," said Miya, who was at a shop at Gardaul, 17 kilometer from Nijgadh.

Although Constituent Assembly directed all lawmakers to reach to their respective constituencies with draft constitution to collect feedbacks from Friday, CA member from Parsa constituency number 3, Raj Kumar Gupta, had not reached his constituency as of late Saturday afternoon.

People like Miya are disappointed as many lawmakers have not reached their respective constituencies to collect feedback on the draft statute.

Badri Prasad Chaurasiya of Pokhariaya Municipality, which lies four kilometer west of Gardaul, felt happy when he learnt that the draft constitution was finally ready. Although Chaurasiya is upset about the fact that the draft constitution could not propose the boundaries for provinces under new federal set up.

"Madhes movement was held for federalism. The draft constitution is incomplete without clear demarcation of federal provinces. We have already waited for eight years and could have waited some more had the leaders convinced us that they could settle the boundary issue," he said.

Locals of constituency number-4 had been looking forward to lawmaker Surendra Chaudhary's visit since reports about CA members visit to their respective constituencies was disseminated through mass media. But they are now disheartened as Chaudhary stayed in the district headquarters even on Sunday.

Phekulal Sah of Bara is worried that the failure to demarcate federal provinces might invite fresh movement in Madhes.

"Just as there is always a risk of conflict in a family until the property is divided among brothers, there is always the threat of a fresh chaos in Madhes until matters related to federalism are settled," he said. Still, he stressed that the issues of federalism should not disturb harmony between hill and Madhesi community.

Wherever CA members have reached to gather feedback, people have exerted pressure on them to settle boundaries of federal provinces as soon as possible.

"Although people are happy about the fact that the draft statute has come at all, most have suggested that demarcation of provinces should happen through the CA itself," said CA member from Bara constituency number 4 Pharmullaha Mansur.



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