Nearly two years after the promulgation of the Constitution of Nepal, the Legislature-Parliament on Wednesday endorsed three bills related to formation of inclusive commissions. 

The House unanimously endorsed the bills related to formation of National Dalit Commission, National Inclusion Commission and the Indigenous Nationality Commission as per the constitutional provisions. 

The constitution envisages six inclusive commissions. Bills related to formation of Tharu Commission, Women Commission and Muslim Commission are under consideration in Parliament and are yet to be approved. 

The commissions bear constitutional authority to formulate national policies and programmes for the uplift and development of the marginalised communities. Similarly, the commissions will also investigate and research financial, academic, social,  religious, cultural and historical aspects of the different communities. 

As all these commissions have the constitutional status, the government has to implement their recommendations. 

Article 255 of the constitution envisions formation of the National Dalit Commission for the uplift of people from the Dalit community and end the malpractice of untouchability. The commission bears the responsibility of bringing people from the community to the mainstream development. Prior to the endorsement of the bill, lawmakers including Chudamani Jangali had argued that the word “deprived” should be used instead of “Dalit” as the word is not perceived well in the society.

The National Inclusion Commission will work to bring the people from marginalised community, poor and people with disabilities in the mainstream. It will also develop progammes and policies for the Karnali region and make recommendations to the government to bring plans and policies to ensure inclusion of the excluded groups.

Similarly, the Indigenous Nationality Commission, formed in line with Article 261 of the Constitution, will work for the betterment of the people from the indigenous community.