Lumbini Provincial Assembly Unanimously Passes Bill on Dalit Rights

Dang. The Lumbini Provincial Assembly has unanimously passed the bill designed to provide for the rights of Dalits.

 During the 14th meeting of the seventh session of the Provincial Assembly held today, Minister for Social Development Janmajay Timilsina presented the 'Bill on the Rights of Dalits, including the committee report,' with a motion for it to be discussed and passed.

Speaker Tularam Ghartimagar announced that the bill was passed unanimously following the discussion. Chairman of the Agriculture, Forest and Environment Committee, Bishwaprem Pathak, presented the committee's report on the 'Bill on the Management and Regulation of Pesticides in the Province'.

Similarly, Chairman of the Physical Infrastructure and Development Committee, Ramji Prasad Ghimire, presented the committee's annual report to the assembly.

In today's meeting, members of the Provincial Assembly raised various contemporary issues. Provincial Assembly member Bhuwaneshwar Chaudhary stated that the state, which is responsible for protecting the people, should not cause them hardship, and emphasized the need to simplify the implementation and clearance processes for projects. He noted that despite the availability of budget for development, it has not been utilized effectively.

Provincial Assembly member Shanti Lod raised the issue of citizenship problems in the Mayadevi area of Rupandehi. Provincial Assembly member Neelam Paswan demanded the operation of transport services from East Parasi through Taulihawa to Bardiya in Lumbini Province. She also stated that the federal government's strictness at customs has affected the lives of the poor and marginalized citizens.

Provincial Assembly member Bhagwatikumari Tharuni urged the government to roll back fuel price hikes, stating that the increase has impacted everything from household kitchens to the agricultural sector. Provincial Assembly member Sudhakar Pandey mentioned that citizens in border areas are facing difficulties due to the federal government's new customs policy and requested that the import of items for weddings and religious rituals not be restricted.

Provincial Assembly member Ambika Kafle demanded a resolution to the problems faced by e-rickshaw drivers. 

Provincial Assembly member Revati Gurung stated that no one is above the constitution and the law, and emphasized that the government must be responsible to save the country from disorder. Another Provincial Assembly member, Dilkumari Budha, complained that division offices are not accountable to the province and expressed the view that the public should not be subjected to harassment.

Similarly, another Provincial Assembly member, Basanti Neupane, urged for the budget formulation process to be simplified and made effective, suggesting that past mistakes should not be repeated.