Kathmandu: Finance Minister Rameshwor Prasad Khanal has emphasized that empowering citizens does not undermine the government. He expressed this view during the inauguration of the Indigenous Nationalities’ Knowledge Conference on Sunday, highlighting that granting citizens their rights is crucial to building an inclusive democracy. Minister Khanal underscored the importance of prioritizing the protection and promotion of the culture, language, and costumes of indigenous nationalities.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Minister Khanal stressed the need for special policies and laws to safeguard the identity of aboriginal and ethnic communities. He assured that the government is dedicated to enforcing their constitutional rights. During the event, Commission Chairman Ram Bahadur Thapamagar voiced concerns about the non-implementation of Article 56 (5) of the Constitution, which provides for protected and autonomous areas aimed at cultural preservation.
The conference, which aims to empower ethnic communities, is seen as a vital step in facilitating the implementation of constitutional provisions. The event, set to continue until Monday, includes the presentation of various working papers on the rights of indigenous people and constitutional protections for cultural preservation.