Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has urged the Unified CPN (Maoist) not to put obstacle on the roadmap set by the Constituent Assembly (CA) to promulgate the new constitution by May 28.

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal (File photo)

Addressing a gathering of National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities (NDFIN) in Lalitpur on Tuesday, PM Nepal said the former rebels should now act responsibly to make sure that new statute is written within the stipulated time and the peace process comes to its conclusion.

He mentioned that the current coalition government is committed to peace process and timely constitution. Dismissing calls for extending CA's tenure by next six months, he said CA does not need additional time to write the constitution.

PM Nepal also sought support and solidarity from all political parties for integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants, adding that a new constitution cannot be promulgated unless the combatants' future is determined.

PM Nepal on the occasion expressed state commitments for all kinds of support for development of the indigenous communities. He instructed NFDIN to prepare strategies for welfare of the indigenous communities.

He called for harmony and cooperation among castes, communities and groups for national development.

Local Development Minister Purna Kumar Sherma said his ministry aims to spend majority of the budget meant for local bodies for the development of indigenous communities.

President of NEFIN Pasang Sherpa urged government to increase budget for the NDFIN and implement ILO Convention 169. nepalnews.com