Lumbini Province Assembly Discusses Annual Policy and Program, Introduces Tharu Community Bill

Butwal. Formal discussion on the annual policy and program for the fiscal year 2083/084 has begun in the seventh meeting of the eighth session of the Lumbini Provincial Assembly today. The assembly proceeded with the discussion after the proposal of thanks for the policy and program presented by the Province Chief was unanimously passed.

In the meeting, Chief Minister Chetanarayan Acharya presented a proposal to initiate discussion on the 'Annual Policy and Program' in accordance with sub-rule (1) of rule 39 of the Lumbini Provincial Assembly Rules, 2079.

Following this, provincial assembly members Arjun Kumar KC, Neelam Paswan, Bhandarilal Ahir, Bhagawati Adhikari, Mina Kumari Shrestha, and Vishnu Prasad Panthi, based on their party representation, participated in the discussion and expressed their views on various aspects of the provincial government's policy and program, including development priorities, agriculture, tourism, good governance, education, health, and infrastructure.

Speaker Tularam Ghartimagar informed the assembly that no amendment proposals were registered regarding the policy and program.

The Provincial Assembly has decided to continue the discussion on the policy and program in the next meeting. The next meeting of the Provincial Assembly is scheduled for Wednesday, Jestha 13, at 1 PM.

Meanwhile, the 'Bill to Provide for the Protection and Promotion of Customary Practices of the Tharu Community, 2083' was presented in today's meeting. Social Development Minister Janjay Timilsina presented the bill before the Provincial Assembly today.

The bill has been introduced citing the significant population of the Tharu community in the province and the need for legal provisions for the protection, documentation, promotion, and intergenerational transfer of collective customary clan structures, organizations, customs, traditions, culture, heritage, Matawan, Barghar, and Bhalmansa practices that have been in vogue since ancient times.

According to the National Census 2078, the population of the Tharu community in Nepal is 1,807,124, which is 6.2 percent of the total population. In Lumbini Province alone, the Tharu community population is 732,069, which is 14.3 percent.

The Tharu community has a significant presence in the districts of Dang, Banke, Bardia, Kapilvastu, Rupandehi, and Nawalparasi.