The government today presented its common minimum programmes (CMP) as well as the annual programmes and policies at the Interim Legislative Parliament, vowing to hold constituent assembly election “within the stipulated time” and establish sustainable peace.

Peace and Reconstruction minister Ram Chandra Poudel presented the interim government’s CMP, which was passed by a cabinet meeting last week, during a sitting of the House. The CMP recognises timely and free and fair CA election as the principal duty the eight-party government.

Expressing commitment to human rights and social justice, the CMP states that the government will work to establish federate structure, maintain peace and security and start the process to democratise the Nepal Army. The government’s programmes also include anti-corruption drive, nationalising of the property of King Gyanendra and implementation of the Rayamajhi Commission report.

The CMP also expresses commitment to set up special fund for helping people hit by the conflict and form Truth and Reconciliation and Peace and Reconstruction commissions. It says schools and hospital premises will be recognised as zones of peace.

While creating conducive environment for smooth functioning of the industrial sector, the government has also vowed to take action against willful defaulters and make them repay the debts.

Likewise, the CMP states that the foreign policy of the interim government will be based on ‘panchsheel’. It also aims to seek help from the international community to resolve the Bhutanese refugee crisis.

Minister Poudel presented the CMP and the annual programmes and policies, as Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala could not attend the House sitting due to his frail health.

The eight parties had finalised the CMP after hectic parleys before the formation of the interim government on April 1. The House will start debate on it from Wednesday.

Talking to reporters, Poudel said the government had not yet decided whether to go with the election date (June 20) as proposed by the eight parties.

“The government is committed to hold constituent assembly election in the stipulated time, but the date will be announced only after consulting with the Election Commission (EC),” he said, revealing that the EC was skeptical about the date set by the eight parties.