Date:09/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/09/stories/2008070955401202.htm

International

Impasse over Madhes ends

Prerana Marasini

KATHMANDU: To address the demands of Madhes-based parties, the Council of Ministers on Tuesday approved the draft Constitution Amendment Bill proposed by the Seven Party Alliance.

According to the proposed amendment, "Nepal will be a federal democratic Republic, considering the desire of Madhesis and various other ethnic, indigenous, and backward communities to establish autonomous province."

To address the Madhes-based parties' demand to recruit Madhesis and various other backward communities into the Army, the Bill states: "Nepal Army would be made inclusive where Madhesis, ethnic and indigenous communities, Dalits, women, and other backward communities would be recruited on the basis of equality and inclusiveness."

CPN (Maoist) chairman Prachanda said: "It will not just resume the Constituent Assembly, but also open the door to form a new government." The Bill was registered at the Cabinet Secretariat's office on Tuesday evening. The Madhes-based parties had been obstructing CA meetings since June 26.