Prachanda hints at changing provincial delineation

Former Prime Minister and Nepal Communist Party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that the delineation of the states could be changed.

Inaugurating a sports tournament in Panchakanya of Nuwakot on Saturday, he said that the provincial demarcation could be changed acting on some complaints on the capitals and names in State No. 5 and State No. 2.

"The people from Banke and Bardiya of State No. 5 have been expressing their reservation with the State if the provincial capital and centre was not fixed as per their demand. The existing structure of the states could be changed as the differing voices have come from the people from Bara, Parsa and Rautahat in Province No. 2," Prachanda said.

Regarding the name and capital of Bagmati state, Prachanda urged the people not to get confused over the name and distance in relation to the land and boundary while stating that development of physical infrastructures will blur those ideas in the long run.

Twelve groups each from all local levels in the district have participated in the First Panchakanya Chairman Cup volleyball tournament that started from Saturday, said Tej Bahadur Tamang, chairperson of the organiser Panchakanya rural municipality. The tournament is categorised into league and knock-out. Winner will receive Rs 100,000, first runner-up Rs 75,000 and second runner-up Rs 50,000.

Likewise, the rural municipality honoured those athletes who won medals in the 13th South Asian Games. Anu Adhikari of the municipality-4, who won gold in the 13th South Asian Games, received Rs 50,000 in cash. Likewise, Anita Adhikari (Bhandari), who won silver, got Rs 30,000. Abhishek Rijal of Nuwakot district, Laxmi Magar and Buddhi Bahadur Tamang, who won gold each, received Rs 15,000 each.

Similarly, Mina Glan, Krishna Bahadur Tamang, Sanjit Dangol, Asmita Rai, Anju Tamang, Rejin Rimal and Rajib Pudasaini, who won bronze each, got Rs 10,000 each.