KATHMANDU, Aug 5: A working committee of guthiyars has been formed in order to hold discussion among guthiyars over the Guthi bill recently brought by the government as well as to run different programs in this regard.

The government on June 25 had withdrawn the controversial Guthi Bill registered at the National Assembly following the pressure from from traditional Guthi supporters, stakeholders and lawmakers from both ruling Nepali Communist Party and opposition Nepali Congress.

A committee comprising different organisations of Newar Community elected Dr Maheshman Shrestha as president of the working committee and Pabitra Bajracharya as vice-president.

Similarly, responsibility has been given to chairperson of Newa Dey Dabu, Naresh Tamrakar to look after the secretariat.

Nanikaji Shakya, Rabindra Tamrakar, Sabina Maharjan and Rishi Prasad Shrestha from Lalitpur, Shyam Shilpakar and Shanta Prakash Shrestha from Bhaktapur, Shreekrishna Manandhar from Tokha, Roshan Shrestha from Phampi Struggle Committee and Raja Shrestha from Saka Struggle Committee are the members of the working committee.

Nepal Dangol and Ashok Maharjan from Khona Struggle Committee, Shreekrishna Shrestha from Kirtipur, Rajbhai Jaka:Me, Nanihera Maharjan, Suman Sayami, Rabindra Shrestha, Ganapati Lal Shrestha, Sujib Bajracharya, Umesh Sthapit, Bhagawan Shakya, Rameshman Piya and Suresh Kiram Manandhar from Kathmandu are also the members.

Similarly, senior culture expert Satya Mohan Joshi, Durgalal Shrestha, Hitkarbir Singh Kansakar, Malla K Sundar, Dr Pushpa Raj Rajkarnikar and Chandra Maharjan are advisors to the committee.  RSS

‘IF PM OLI CANNOT AMEND CONSTITUTION, ANOTHER PRIME MINISTER WILL’

‘MERGER WITH SAMAJWADI PARTY IN NEAR FUTURE IS NOT ON CARDS’

Federal Affairs and General Administration Minister Lal Babu Pandit is no position to continue his position as minister, said Rastriya Janata Party Nepal leader Raj Kishor Yadav.

Minister Pandit has been facing criticism after the Public Service Commission (PSC) announced vacancy on May 29 for the recruitment of 9,161 staffers at various positions in 515 local governments, which the lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties and Province 2 government has slammed saying it is against the spirit of the constitution and the principles of inclusive representation of all communities and genders in the local bodies. They have also said that the vacancy announcement breaches the rights of the provincial PSCs to recruit staffers at local units.

“If we review the decisions taken by the government, many of them have breached the spirit of the constitution,” said Yadav during a television interview Janata Janna Chahanchan broadcast on Prime Times television.

“The vacancy announcement by the PSC is a direct challenge to constitution. And Minister Pandit is the defending the vacancy announcement,” he added.

Following the pressure from lawmakers and Province 2 government, the State Affairs Committee of the parliament directed the government and the constitution body to cancel the vacancy announcement concluding that it was against the constitution.

However, Minister Pandit defended the vacancy advertisement saying it was completely in line with the constitution and was announced as per the operating Civil Servants Adjustment Act.

“The Federal Civil Servants Act is still under consideration at the Parliamentary State Affairs and Good Governance Committee. The parliament, after holding a rigorous discussion in the committee, approved the Civil Servants Adjustment Act—which states that after the adjustment process, the vacant positions, if demanded by the local and provincial bodies, will be sent to Federal PSC through the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration without any modification until the formation of Provincial Public Service Commission,” Minister Pandit said in a television interview earlier this month.

“Since the PSC cannot announce the vacancy based on the under-consideration Act, the constitutional body has to announce the vacancy as per the operating Act. The federal PSC, as sent by the government, announced the vacancy in line with the constitution,” Pandit had insisted.

But, Yadav said that the minister has no right to challenge the direction of the State Affairs Committee.

“Minister Pandit did a mistake challenging the order of State Affairs Committee.”

“Who is he? He is just a minister. But the State Affairs Committee is a mini parliament. I think Pandit has lost his mind,” he fumed.

“One of the reasons behind Oli government’s unpopularity is Minister Pandit. In fact, he has no knowledge of the Constitution of Nepal.”

“Therefore, he should be sacked immediately. Pandit has no moral ground to continue his post as minister.”

Yadav also said that Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli should heed the demands of the Madheshi people and take steps for the amendment of the constitution as promised.

“If he cannot amend the constitution, another prime minister will do it,” he said.

On March 6, the RJPN terming the government unsuccessful in matters pertaining to constitution amendment, failure to withdraw ‘false’ charges against those arrested during the Madhesh and Tharuhat movement and check corruption, withdrew its support given to the government.

When argued the Oli government has two-third majority and is strong, Yadav replied, “His strength was seen a few days ago.”

“Did not the Maitighar Mandala demonstration shake the Singhadurbar?”

Following the introduction of controversial Guthi Bill, thousands of protesters had gathered at Mandala–biggest demonstration after 2006 People’s Movement– demanding the withdrawal and cancellation of the Guthi Bill. The government on Tuesday officially withdrew the bill registered at the National Assembly.

“What he calls is the power of the parliament and the power of people.

‘If PM Oli is reluctant to heed the concerns of people, he does not have a future,” he said.

Yadav also expressed dissatisfaction toward the government’s failure to check corruption, maintain peace and security, good governance and structural transformation.

“Instead the government has tried to attack the culture and tradition, restrict press freedom and expression and control media,” he said.

Yadav also clarified that the possibility of merger between RJPN and recently formed Samajwadi Party (after the merger between Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Upendra Yadav led Federal Socialist Forum Nepal and Dr Baburam Bhattarai led Naya Shakti Party) is low.

“We are holding informal discussions with Samjwadi Party. We are always open to unite with the parties with similar political background and agenda. But, merger with Samajwadi Party is not on the cards in near future,” he said.

RJPN has put forth a condition that merger with Samajwadi is possible only after Upendra Yadav sever ties with the government.

Related Coverage:

Vacancy announcement in line with constitution: Minister Pandit (With Video)

KATHMANDU, June 25: The government has officially withdrawn the controversial Guthi Bill registered at the National Assembly on Tuesday.

The National Assembly unanimously endorsed the proposal on the withdrawal of the Guthi bill tabled by Minister for Land Reforms Padma Kumar Aryal.

The bill introduced by the government last month sparked controversy drawing criticism from traditional Guthi supporters, stakeholders and lawmakers from both ruling Nepali Communist Party and opposition Nepali Congress.

Following the public pressure, Minister Aryal announced the decision to withdraw the bill through a press conference. Despite this, the dissatisfied public last week took to the streets the next day demanding the total cancelation of the bill saying the bill is a threat to centuries-old culture and tradition.

The protesters are not happy with some of the provisions of the Guthi Bill– especially the formation of Guthi Authority to oversee the Guthi properties that would effectively end the role of existing trustees who have so far been running the Guthis and the provision that would allow one occupying the Guthi land to acquire ownership certificates.

However, the government has said that the Guthi Bill was introduced to protect the culture, religion and century-old tradition. He had further clarified that the proposal to form the Guthi Authority was not aimed at running the administration of Guthi property.

Related Coverage:

Guthi bill will be revised and tabled again: Minister Aryal (With Video)

The government will hold discussion with stakeholders and bring a new revised Guthi Bill, said Padma Kumari Aryal, minister of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation.

Even after the government withdrew the controversial Guthi Bill registered at the National Assembly, thousands of protesters, especially the Newar communities from the Kathmandu Valley, gathered at Maitighar Mandala on Wednesday demanding the total cancelation of the bill.

“What is cancelation? The bill tabled in the upper house has already been withdrawn. Now, what’s left to be canceled? ” said Aryal in a television interview Janata Janna Chahanchan.

“It was not given a final shape. No discussions were held. It was proposed but withdrawn. I don’t understand why it should be canceled.”

“No bill becomes final as soon as the government presents it. After a bill is tabled in the parliament, discussions and interactions are held on the proposal before it is sent to the committee including their suggestions. The committee then holds consultations with the stakeholders. Next, it is sent to the parliament and where it is rediscussed before being endorsed,” she said.

“A bill goes through a long process before it becomes a law.”

“The Guthi Bill was only proposed in the parliament. But why are not they ready to hold consultation? ”

“After the public pressure, we withdrew the bill… but for now.”

“Now, we will consult with the stakeholders and bring a revised Guthi Bill.”

“Even Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli has said the bill can be corrected. I have said that.

Aryal claimed that the ministry had frequently called stakeholders to hold a discussion on the bill.

“We had said we were ready to make necessary correction in the bill. But even after a frequent request, they refused the call and took to the streets.”

“There was no need for a demonstration.”

On the eve of the biggest protest since the 2006 People’s Movement–the main opposition party Nepali Congress also expressed solidarity with the protest against the bill. The NC obstructed the parliament and barred Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli from addressing the House about the Guthi Bill and his recent Europe visit.

Asked will the government not heed the demand to cancel the bill and not to reintroduce it again, she said, “If it is so? Why did they write in the constitution that they need Guthi Bill? Didn’t all the parties sign the constitution? Do they have moral rights to raise the issue? The constitution states that the government should bring the Guthi laws.”

During the demonstration, the protesters also demanded the resignation of Minister Aryal and Communication and Information technology Minister Gokul Baskota.

Minister Aryal said, “It is their freedom to speak their views. What do we have to do is upon us.”

“Controversy is not a big thing. It’s a democracy. People have the right to express their opinion and speak their voice. Based on that, corrections are made.”

In a query that the Kathmandu based Newars have said the bill failed to represent them, Aryal said, “Guthi experts were involved in drafting the bill.”

“We have called the representatives,” she claimed.

According to her, the bill was introduced to protect the culture, religion and century-old tradition.

KATHMANDU, June 19: On Tuesday, immediately after finishing his speech at a press conference in Singha Durbar, Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli was seen pointing fingers at Reporters’ Club Nepal President Rishi Dhamala and telling him something.

The video has gone viral in social media. What did the prime minister tell Dhamala?

PM Oli, on the eve of the massive gathering in protest of the Bill, had organized the press meet expressing concern over the main opposition party Nepali Congress’ activity in the parliament, who earlier had picketed the rostrum during a meeting of the House of Representatives and blocked the prime minister from addressing the meeting. The prime minister was supposed to brief about the parliament about his recent Europe visit and about the Guthi Bill.

The ruling Nepal Communist Party leaders have said NC’s activity at the parliament on Tuesday afternoon was an attack on the parliamentary practice.

Following the public pressure and NC obstruction, the Ministry for Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation earlier in the Tuesday afternoon had withdrawn the Guthi Bill which the government had registered at the National Assembly a few days ago.

It was a serious blow to the iron image of PM Oli who commands a two-third majority at the parliament. Although almost all the bills introduced by the government faced controversy and widespread protests, the Guthi Bill was the first instance of a withdrawal of a bill under pressure from the streets.

After finishing his speech, PM Oli was about to leave. When senior journalist Dhamala approached him, Oli pointed finger at him. He looked serious.

“Why did you say the bill attacked the tradition and culture?” Oli told Dhamala, who also hosts one of the most popular television talk show Janata Janna Chahanchan on Prime Times television.

PM Oli in the press meet had clarified that the Guthi Bill was introduced to protect the culture, religion and century-old tradition. He had further clarified that the proposal to form the Guthi Authority was not aimed at running the administration of Guthi property.

“It is not like that prime minister jyu,” Dhamala replied politely and smiling.

“I have seen the interviews,” Oli replied and left.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ishwor Pokharel, who was also present at the meeting, smiled at Dhamala while Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa looked serious.

KATHMANDU, June 19: Thousands of protesters have gathered at Maitighar Mandala demanding the cancelation of controversial Guthi Bill.

Following a public pressure from traditional Guthi supporters, stakeholders, opposition Nepali Congress and lawmakers from ruling Nepal Communist Party, the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation withdrew the bill through a press conference on Tuesday evening. But, the protesters have demanded the government scrap the bill citing it is a threat to centuries-old culture and tradition. They have said the protest will not stop until the bill is totally canceled.

The agitators have surrounded the Mandala chanting slogans to scrap the bill and preserve the Guthi tradition, and demanding the resignation of Minister for Communication and Information Technology.

Yesterday, the opposition NC had obstructed the parliament barring Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli to address the parliament about his recent Europe visit and the Guthi Bill. Later in the evening, PM Oli had organized a press conference and expressed support for the withdrawal of the bill.

KATHMANDU, June 18: A meeting of the House of Representatives was adjourned after the main opposition party Nepali Congress barred the prime minister from addressing the House.

PM Oli was expected to brief the parliament about his recent visit to Europe and the proposed controversial Guthi Bill and other contemporary issues.

As soon as the meeting began, the NC lawmakers had demanded that NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba should be allowed to speak before the prime minister.

Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara allowed PM Oli to speak first. But, before PM Oli could speak a word, the NC lawmakers picketed the rostrum compelling the speaker the meeting until 4 pm on Wednesday.

Later Oli said he felt sad by the protest from NC lawmakers which barred him from addressing the parliament.

“Due to opposition NC’s obstruction of the parliament by picketing the rostrum, I could not address the parliament about my recent Europe visit, Guthi Bill and other contemporary issues. It has made me feel sad,” tweeted Oli.

KATHMANDU, June 19: Thousands of protesters have gathered at Maitighar Mandala demanding the cancelation of controversial Guthi Bill.

Following a public pressure from traditional Guthi supporters, stakeholders, opposition Nepali Congress and lawmakers from ruling Nepal Communist Party, the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation withdrew the bill through a press conference on Tuesday evening. But, the protesters have demanded the government scrap the bill citing it is a threat to centuries-old culture and tradition. They have said the protest will not stop until the bill is totally canceled.

The protesters have expressed dissatisfaction over some of the provisions of the Guthi Bill– especially the formation of Guthi Authority to oversee the Guthi properties that would effectively end the role of existing trustees who have so far been running the Guthis and the provision that would allow one occupying the Guthi land to acquire ownership certificates.

The agitators have surrounded the Mandala chanting slogans to scrap the bill and preserve the Guthi tradition, and demanding the resignation of Minister for Communication and Information Technology Gokul Baskota, who had termed the Guthi tradition as “a symbol of feudalism”.

Yesterday, the opposition NC had obstructed the parliament barring Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli to address the parliament about his recent Europe visit and the Guthi Bill. Later in the evening, PM Oli had organized a press conference and expressed support for the withdrawal of the bill.

KATHMANDU, June 17: The main opposition party Nepali Congress (NC) has expressed solidarity with the protest pro-Guthi supporters, stakeholders and culture activists who have launched protest against the controversial Guthi Bill expressing dissatisfaction over some of the provisions–especially the formation of Guthi Authority to oversee the Guthi properties that would effectively end the role of existing trustees who have so far been running the Guthis and the provision that would allow one occupying the Guthi land to acquire ownership certificates. The NC has also warned to take to the street if the Bill is not withdrawn immediately.

“The party will hit the street if the Bill is not pulled out immediately,” said lawmaker Dilendra Prasad Badu during a session of the House of Representatives on Monday.

The Guthi Bill was registered at the National Assembly, the upper house in the bicameral Federal Parliament, a few days ago.

After the NC stood from their respective seats as a symbol of protest, Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara allowed Badu to put forth his views.

Badu also said that the party has reservations over the recent statement by the government Spokesperson and Minister for Communications and Information Technology Gokul Baskota who, in the defense of the Bill, has said the Guthi tradition is a symbol of feudalism.

The ministers’ statement had irked the already annoyed protesters, who, despite Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli assuring the Bill will be revised, organized torch rallies on Sunday evening and have yet to withdraw their demonstration program at Maitighar Mandala on June 19.

Stating that the minister publicly termed the Guthi, as a residue of feudalism, Badu accused the government of intending to eliminate religion, tradition, customs, culture, heritage and originality as it had been over excited on the back support of the two-thirds majority.

The protesters and the ruling Nepal Communist Party lawmakers have also demanded the resignation of Minister Baskota warning a decisive protest if the issue is not addressed by Monday.

KATHMANDU, June 16: Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli has said that the Guthi Bill can be revised if necessary.

Supporters of traditional Guthi culture, cultural activists, lawmakers from the opposition and the ruling party and other stakeholders have expressed dissatisfaction over some of the provisions, especially the formation of the authority to administer the Guthi properties, in the Guthi Bill recently registered at the National Assembly. They have also demanded the withdrawal of the Bill from the parliament.

“The Guthi Bill covers issues like culture, tradition, religion and the ownership and rights of peasants. The proposed law might not be correct. This is people’s government. The government will work in the interest of the people. The Bill can be revised if necessary,” said PM Oli, talking to the journalists, upon his arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport from his week-long Europe visit.

The dismay of the pro-Guthi supporters was made worse after Minister for Communication and Information Technology and government Spokesperson Gukul Baskota, in defense of the Bill, said that the Guthi tradition is a symbol of feudalism.

The ruling party lawmakers even warned to topple the government and demanded the resignation of Minister Baskota, giving a two-day ultimatum to the government to withdraw the controversial Bill, warning a decisive protest if the issue not addressed by Monday.