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 The bill tabled in the upper house has already been withdrawn.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 It was proposed but withdrawn.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, July 11: State Minister for Health Padma Aryal has clarified that the government is ready to address the demands of Dr Kc, who is on his 15th hunger strike at Jumla-based Karnali Academy of Health and Sciences, pushing for Kedar Bhakta Mathema-led committee recommendation in the National Medical Education Bill.

“The government has been requesting Dr KC to come for talks since he started hunger strike, but he has refused” said minister Aryal at an interaction program organized by the Reporters Club Nepal on Wednesday.

“Dr KC has shown some flexibility now. The government is also serious toward his demands. The bill is at the parliament now. It is the parliament which gives legitimate status to his demands so he should put forth the amendments he has wanted through lawmakers,” she added.

“The government has already made preparations for bringing him to Kathmandu and start dialogue.  Even if he refuses to come to the capital, we will go to Jumla and end his fast-unto-death by establishing consensus through dialogue,” she furthered adding, “The government is seriously concerned about this health and will try every possible effort to save Dr KC.”

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NC leader Pandey urges govt to be take Dr KC’s demands seriously

Hunger strike won’t solve Dr KC’s problems: PM’s press advisor Aryal

Home Minister gives words to address demands of Dr KC, Gangamaya

WALING, SYANGJA, July 7: Minister of State for Health and Population, Padma Kumari Aryal, has admitted that the government has realised hard times facing people to get medical/health care facilities.

Speaking at a press meet on Sunday, the Minister of State said a shortage of human resources mainly in rural areas due to various reasons has hampered the service delivery. She took the time to claim that the government was serious towards addressing anomalies gripping the domestic health sector.

She asserted that medical employees should compulsorily reach the assigned stations; otherwise they should clear the way so that other can have an opportunity to be there. “The Ministry is preparing to implement this provision strictly.”

According to her, discussions are on to formulate a rule banning any employee from staying in the Kathmandu Valley more than five years. Though the government agrees some of the demands of Dr KC, it can not concur with the demand for prohibiting the opening of new medical colleges, while the issues of Gangamaya have links with the conflict and are complex and sensitive. RSS

SYANGJA, Dec 12: CPN- UML has registered another victory in Syangja-2. Left Alliance candidate Padma Kumari Aryal won the federal election securing 35,142 votes. She defeated her closest rival from Nepali Congress DPM and Minister for Education Gopal Man Shrestha who received 31,436 votes.

With the latest win, UML has secured win in 80 constituencies under first-past-the-post election. Trailing behind is UML’s election partner CPN (Maoist Center) with 36 wins. Nepali Congress has won in 22 seats, Rastriya Janata Party Nepal in 11, Federal Socialist Forum Nepal in 10 seats. Rastirya Prajatantra Party, Naya Shakti, Janamorcha, Nepal Workers and Peasant Party has claimed victory in one seat each. An independent candidate has also been elected to the House of Representatives.