At a time when the opposition parties have stepped up criticism against the government over its decision to legalise the land transactions approved by the then Maoist "people’s governments", Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai has said the government stands by its decision.

Speaking during the meomerial service for late Maoist leader Bhakta Bahadur Shrestha in Hetauda on Saturday, PM Bhattarai said the government has decided to recognise the documents of wartime "as per the expectations of the local people".

“The government’s decision is not against the comprehensive peace agreement or any political agreement between the parties,” he claimed, countering the statements of opposition parties that the cabinet decision runs counter to all the past agreements.

PM Bhattarai also said the Nepali Congress and the UML were blowing this “minor issue” out of proportion. “The government is ready to resolve the issue through dialogue, “But the opposition parties are unnecessarily frightened,” said he. nepalnews.com