Madheshi Commission functioning in limited resources

Kathmandu, May 12: Acting Chairperson of Madheshi Commission, Jeewachh Sah, said that the Commission is struggling to address the problems of the Madhesh region due to lack of budget and resources.

Speaking at a meeting of the Women and Social Affairs Committee under the House of Representatives today, Acting Chairperson Sah informed lawmakers about the challenges faced by the Commission in carrying out its work.

Sah said the Commission has already submitted more than 300 recommendations to the government on issues related to Madhesh region. 

Some of these concerns, he added, have already been included in the government’s annual policy and programme.

He reiterated, "There are numerous problems in the Madhesh and there is a lack of resources to solve them."

Highlighting several persistent issues in the region such as dowry system, harmful social practices, poverty, illiteracy, natural disasters and unemployment, he underscored that the State's cooperation is essential to address these challenges comprehensively.

During the meeting, he informed the Committee that the Commission currently has to run programs across all 77 districts with a budget of only Rs 2 million.

He added that even the allocated Rs 500,000 budget for research and studies is inadequate.

Committee Chairperson Aakriti Awasthi said that the State must take responsibility for addressing the problems of Madhesh region. 

She suggested the Commission continue to play a supportive role in that effort.

During the meeting, lawmakers urged the Commission to make its work and responsibilities more effective.

Parliamentarain Parbati BK called on the Commission to launch wider awareness campaigns to eliminate the deeply rooted dowry system in the Madhesh.

Another parliamentarian Reena Upreti (KC) expressed her concern that cases of domestic violence are particularly high in Saptari and Siraha districts and thus drew the attention of the Commission to focus on monitoring and solutions. 

Likewise, Deepak Kumar Sah pointed out that unemployment remains another major issue in Madhesh region. He questioned about the Commission's plan to address it.

Dr Lalita Kumari mentioned that Madhesh Province continues to face serious challenges due to inadequate education and healthcare services and urged the Commission to draw the government's attention to these issues. (RSS)