Kathmandu: Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Anil Kumar Sinha has pledged to formulate the draft of the bill on rights of the Dalit community as early as possible. At a meeting of the Development, Economic Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the National Assembly on Monday, Minister Sinha expressed commitment to prepare the draft of the bill following the lawmakers’ concerns on the failure to implement the rights of the Dalit community even after a decade of the new constitution.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Minister Sinha stated that the bill will be drafted in a way making it a ready document to table in the new House of Representatives (HoR), adding that the draft of the bill has received a nod from the Finance Ministry. “The draft of the bill is in the final stage. We will complete the remaining tasks soon,” Law Minister Sinha mentioned.
Chair of the Committee, Kamaladevi Pant, said that the government has been directed to create an environment to immediately implement the concept of the Dalit Development Authority and to formulate the bill as per Article 40 of the Constitution.
Committee member Bamdev Gautam remarked on the unfortunate continuation of discrimination against the Dalit community. Narayankaji Shrestha, another member of the committee, emphasized that the state should draft and implement laws to bring about positive changes in the status of the Dalit community.
Similarly, Bishnu Bahadur Bishwakarma stated that the state itself was apathetic in ensuring justice for the Dalit community despite constitutional provisions in their favor, describing the situation as “state-led discrimination against Dalit.” Tul Prasad Bishwakarma added that the Dalit community continues to be oppressed by feudalism despite the establishment of a republic.
Committee members Urmila Aryal, Puja Chaudhary, Ghanshyam Rijal, and others shared their views, urging the government to bring the bill in alignment with the spirit of the fundamental rights stated in the constitution.