The Supreme Court on Friday ordered the government not to implement the Cabinet decision of May 22 to increase the number of local units in 12 districts along the plains and give Birgunj and Biratnagar the status of metropolis.

Responding to a writ petition filed by three people including Dhan Bahadur Shrestha, a bench of justices Ishwor Khatiwada and Sapana Malla Pradhan issued such order.

The government had decided to increase the numbers of local units in order to bring the agitating Madhesi parties on board the second phase local polls scheduled for June 14.

The government decision followed the recommendation of a taskforce led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Federal Affairs and Local Development Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar that suggested adding 22 local units in Provinces 1, 2, 5 and 7 and making the two cities in the eastern region metropolises.

The Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN), formed after the merger of six agitating Madhes-based parties, had been demanding that the number of local units be increased along the plains.

The Cabinet had also decided to elevate 24 village councils (rural municipalities) of nine Tarai districts to the status of municipalities in line with the recommendation made by the Gachhadar-led taskforce.

Also read: 12 Tarai districts to get 22 more local units