UML to head PAC and policy directive committee, TJ to be referred to special committee

Kathmandu, Apr 24:  In a major retreat from its stand, the government today agreed to refer the Transitional Justice Bill to the special committee of parliament and withdrew its rigid stance for its ‘fast track adoption’.

A meeting of top leaders of three major parties –Maoist, UML and the Nepali Congress–that was chaired by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ at his office in Singhadurbar, decided that the bill that was tabled in the previous house favouring blanket amnesty to all human right violation cases during the insurgency, will now be referred to the special committee for scrutiny and further suggestions before sending it for the consideration of the House.

The fate of the bill had been hanging in balance following UML’s refusal to have it passed ‘as it is fast track, but the Maoist and NC falling on UML line Indicates that the Bill that prepared by Gobinda Bandi favouring brazen blanket, that would especially absolve Maoist leaders of the crime, would be amended so that no one got amnesty in the human right violation cases of gross violation in nature.

The three party meeting also decided to let the UML, the main opposition party, to head the crucial Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives and the Policy Directive Committee of the joint houses.