The Committee on Restructuring of the State and Devolution of State Power has recommended a federation with 14 states in the new constitution. A majority in the 42-member thematic committee endorsed this modality.
In Wednesday's vote, 23 CA members from UCPN (Maoist) and CPN-UML voted for the 14-state proposal. The amendmet made during voting includes two provinces in the Tarai--Tharuhat-Lumbini-Abadh and Mithila-Bhojpura-Madhes--and two new provinces Jadan and Sherpa.
Earlier, the subcommittee had proposed two alternatives -- a 14-province and a six-province federation. During voting, Nepali Congress and Madhes-based parties demanded inclusion of both recommendations in the concept paper. Madhesi parties were for amending both proposals, while the NC demanded their incorporation in the concept paper. Some lawmakers demanded that Chitwan also be included in the Tarai provinces.
The committee also voted in favour of priority rights for margi-nalised ethnic communities and linguistic groups in provinces and special structures under them. This allows the ethnic and linguistic group with majority population to lead the provinces and the special structures for the first two terms.
Proposed Federal States: Tharuhat-Lumbini-Abadh, Mithila-Bhojpura-Madhes, Jadan, Karnali, Khaptad, Sherpa, Sunkoshi, Kirat, Limbuwan, Newa, Tamsaling, Narayani, Tamuwan, Magrat
