Finally Dalits Get a Cabinet Seat: Mahendra Paswan Named Minister for Land Reform
The Nepaldalitinfo Special Report
KATHMANDU, March 25- The Cabinet meeting today named Mahendra Paswan as the Minister for Land Reform and Management in the present coalition Government of Nepal. Dalits have been demanding their fair share of representation in the Cabinet ever since the CA election. Last Saturday speaking to Dalit communities, the Prime Minister Prachanda had promised for naming one cabinet minister and one assistant minister from Dalit communities within a week’s time. Paswan will be taking the cabinet portfolio that was held by Prime Minister since Matrika Yadav resigned from the post.
Hon. Mahendra Paswan
Minister for Land Reform
The Nepaldalitinfo expresses hearty congratulations to Minister Paswan and hopes that he will make a strong Dalit presence in the cabinet.
Minister designate Paswan was elected to the CA from Siraha Constituency No.5 under the First-Past-the-Post (direct) electoral system, and represents Madhesi Dalits. Paswan has made commitment to CA saying that he will play a role in writing a constitution that is in favour of those groups of people who are backward just because they belong to certain regions and castes.
Paswan was born on September 5, 1974 in Jayapur of Majhauliya in Siraha district. He comes from a poor family, and had to earn a living by ploughing land and rearing cows for others. Known by the nickname ‘Arvinda’ within the United CPN (Maoists), Paswan got involved in politics since 1988. He has worked in many Terai districts. He served also in-charge of Bara, Parsa, Udayapur, Makwanpur and Lalitpur districts in his party.
Paswan, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law. He was coordinator of Madhesi Mukti Morcha (Madhesi Liberation Front) formed in 2000 in Siligudhi, India. Jay Krishna Goit and Matrika Yadav were presidents of the Front. Paswan has also been among the 95 central members of the CPN (Maoist). Agitated by untouchability and caste-based discrimination, now Paswan is secretary of the Mithila-Bhojapura State Committee.
Paswan’s wife, Sanjita, is a leader of All Nepal Women’s Association, a sister organization of the United CPN (Maoists).
[Source for Paswan’s personal information: Nepal Election Portal]
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काठमाडौँ, चैत १४ गते । राष्ट्रपति डा. रामवरण यादवको उपस्थितिमा प्रधानमन्त्री पुष्पकमल दाहाल ‘प्रचण्ड’ले नवनियुक्त भूमिसुधार तथा व्यवस्थामन्त्री महेन्द्र पासवान र महिला बालबालिका तथा समाजकल्याणमन्त्री रामचरण चौधरी (थारू)लाई राष्ट्रपति भवन, शीतलनिवासमा शुक्रबार पद तथा गोपनीयताको शपथ गराउनुभयो ।
प्रधानमन्त्री प्रचण्डले नेपालको अन्तरिम संविधान, २०६३ को धारा ३८ बमोजिम मौजुदा मन्त्रिपरिषद्मा उहाँहरूलाई गत बुधबार नियुक्त गर्नुभएको थियो ।
नवनियुक्त मन्त्री चौधरी थारू समुदाय र मन्त्री पासवान मधेसी तथा दलित समुदायको प्रतिनिधित्व गर्नुहुन्छ । रासस
Source: Gorkhapatra