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There are five of us.
You are also in the Committee on State Restructuring and Sharing of State Power. Is the Chamar community happy with the 14 provinces as proposed?
The draft has overlooked the issues of the Dalit community. Dalits are assured special rights within the provinces, which is not sufficient. Although I approved the draft, the provinces should not be created on the basis of ethnic identity only.
Are you a supporter of political prerogatives?
The proposal came on the final day of the meeting, recommending political prerogatives for certain communities. I opposed the idea as it ignored the wellbeing of the Dalit community. We don't want mercy in the federal system. We were discriminated against and treated as untouchable in the past. The state should compensate Dalits by providing them with reservations in state mechanisms for a certain time.
What is the Chamar community expecting from the new constitution?
Chamars do not have their own land. So they should be provided with land. Chamar women are supposed to take care of women who have given birth for minimal pay, this practice should be eliminated. They should be trained as nurses and midwives. Chamars should be provided with free education and health facilities. Chamars are more discriminated against than hill Dalits. Madhesi leaders should understand our difficulties.
What will you do if the constitution is not written on time?
The Interim Constitution is due to expire on May 28. If it is not amended before that we will no longer be CA members.
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Constitution 2010, Nepali Times coverage of issues related to writing the new constitution
