Kathmandu, June 21- Dalits of Nepal have got two of their leaders in the seats of junior Ministers in the new Government led by Mr. Madhav Kumar Nepal. Mr. Jeetu Gautam was sworn in recently as the Minister of State for General Administration. Mr. Khadga Bahadur Basyal is the Minister of State for Health and Population.

“I know Hon. Gautam to be a committed party worker of CPN-UML over a long time. Hopefully he will try all he can to make some contribution to the Dalits cause as well, besides fulfilling his role in the designated ministry. I hope Minister Gautam will put in his best efforts to achieve whatever is achievable under the current circumstances, despite many challenges facing the new government.” says a nepaldalitinfo member Mr. Mitra Pariyar, who is currently a post-graduate student at Oxford University (UK) said in his congratulatory note.

“We are hopping that both the new ministers Hon. Gautam and Hon Basyal will play a dynamic and creative role for dalit issues in government.” another nepaldalitinfo member Gopal Biraji asserted.

The Nepaldalitinfo International Network expresses its hearty congratulations to both Hon. Minister Gautam and Hon. Minister Basyal, and hopes that they will be able to make the Dalit communities feel their presence in the new cabinet through their significant role they play in favour of their communities, while they contribute to good governance in the country.

Biographical Profile of Hon. Minister Khadga Bahadur Basyal

Gender: Male
Party Affiliation: Nepali Congress
Elected From/Address: Surkhet, Tatopani-8
Age: 58
CA Type: Proportional Representation

CA member from Nepali Congress under the proportional electoral system Khadka Bahadur Basyal Sarki is a permanent resident of Uttarganga in Surkhet district. He started his political career as a leftist member in 1964. But, he joined Nepali Congress in 1979 and has been actively working in the party ever since he moved to the democratic line. His father Dev Bahadur Basyal inspired him to join politics as a career. Sarki was arrested 26 times during the then king Gyanendra’s direct rule for being active in democratic movement. He has been serving in the capacity of Surkhet District Vice President of Nepali Congress since 1994 and he also works as Central Co-Chairman of Dalit Association. Earlier, he served as the district Chairman of Dalit Association and district member of the party.

He has completed his formal education up to SLC level. He is father of eight daughters and a son. Social service is his field of interest. He is also involved in agricultural activities and grill industry. Proprietor of Mahakali Metal Workshop Sarki is recognized as a sincere and hard-working person. He has the conviction that people from Dalit (oppressed) communities should be given reservation in all the state organs and he wants to raise this issue with priority in the CA.
Source: http://result.nepalelectionportal.org/

(This news posting was revised on 21 June)