The major three political parties -- UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML-- and the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) on Sunday had agreed to appoint Pariyar as a member of the SRC from Dalit quota. [break]
Dalit lawmakers and various Dalit organizations had been demanding that the government appoint a Dalit member in SRC.
The government on November 23 had formed an eight-member body to offer suggestions to the government on state restructuring within two months. Major political parties were sharply divided on the issue of appointing the head of the statutory body.
At the meeting on Sunday, Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai had proposed Pariyar for the post. "Political parties agreed to appoint him (Pariyar) as the coordinator of the body following recommendation from the prime minister at the meeting in Gokarna Resort," said Minister for Physical Planning and Construction Hridayesh Tripathi.
Pariyar holds a PhD in resource planning and management from Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand. He is currently a member representing Dalits in the screening committee of Social Inclusion Research Fund (SIRF).
Pariyar is actively involved in studying and writing articles on federalism in recent years. Pariyar has served as the member secretary of the High Level Commission for Information Technology and as general manager of Udaypur Cement Company and Agricultural Tools Company.
When asked about his views regarding the basis for the formation of federal provinces, Pariyar refused to comment. However, he said that as the coordinator of the body he will incorporate views from all members while making recommendation to the government.
“I might have my personal views regarding state restructuring, but here my duty is to move ahead by accommodating the views of all members,” Pariyar told Republica.
He said he would try his best to ensure that decisions are taken unanimously. “The body will succeed if we take all decisions unanimously,” Pariyar added.
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