The government has withdrawn the controversial guthi bill.
Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation Padma Aryal announced withdrawal of the bill registered in the National Assembly holding a press conference Tuesday afternoon. "I decide to withdraw the guthi bill seeing the need for additional discussion and consultation with the stakeholders concerned as there have been efforts to mislead the people about the bill, incite them and vitiate the environment," Aryal said during the press conference.
Newar communities in all three districts of the Kathmandu Valley are protesting against the bill registered in the National Assembly complaining that the government is trying to destroy their culture and tradition.
Prime Minister (PM) KP Sharma Oli was expected to speak about the guthi bill during his speech in the parliament earlier on Tuesday. But he could not speak due to obstruction by the main opposition Nepali Congress (NC).
Minister Aryal, therefore, organized the press conference to announce withdrawal of the bill.
PM Oli, who had expressed commitment to amend the bill if it were wrong while talking to media persons at the airport upon his arrival from Europe, had focused on the bill after his return.
He held discussion with Minister Aryal and elected representatives of the party from the Valley who are against the bill on Monday listening to the arguments of both the sides to reach the decision.
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