Empowering citizens strengthens democracy, not weakens state: Finance Minister Khanal

Lalitpur, Dec 14: Finance Minister Rameshwor Prasad Khanal has said that empowering citizens with rights does not undermine the government, but rather forms the backbone of an inclusive and democratic state.

Inaugurating the Indigenous Nationalities’ Knowledge Conference in Lalitpur on Sunday, Minister Khanal stressed that the protection and promotion of the culture, language and traditional attire of indigenous nationalities should be a national priority. He said inclusive democracy is built by ensuring citizens are aware of and able to exercise their rights.

The finance minister also pointed out the need for special policies and laws to safeguard the identity of indigenous and ethnic communities, adding that the government remains committed to implementing the constitutional rights guaranteed to them.

Speaking at the event, Indigenous Nationalities Commission Chair Ram Bahadur Thapamagar expressed concern over the lack of implementation of Article 56(5) of the Constitution, which provides for protected and autonomous areas aimed at preserving cultural identity. He argued that empowering ethnic communities would help ensure effective implementation of constitutional provisions.

The two-day conference, which concludes on Monday, features the presentation of various working papers focusing on the rights of indigenous peoples, including constitutional provisions related to the protection of culture.