18 more festivals to become National holidays:-

KATHMANDU, March 5 - The cabinet meeting on Tuesday decided to observe 18 different festivals of various religions and communities as public holidays and insert them as national holidays in the government's official calendar. According to a cabinet source, the festivals to be observed as public holidays include Eid and Bakr Eid of the Muslims, Christmas, the Nanak Memorial Day of the Sikhs, Udhouli and Ubhouli of the Kirants, Goura of the far west and the Tamu and Sonam Lhosars.

Similarly, the cabinet has decided to observe the Siruwa festival celebrated in southeastern Nepal and the Maghi celebrated by the Tharus of western Nepal as public holidays. The cabinet decided to cut three holidays from the Dashain festival but retain Mahashivaratri, Janai Purnima and Fagu Purnima.

The cabinet also endorsed the government's agreement with the Federal Republican National Front last week and decided to implement it. The meeting decided to release the compensation money to be provided to the families of those killed during the Madhes movement as per the eight-point agreement signed with the United Democratic Madhesi Front.

Political committee to work on commissions:-

The cabinet decided to form within next week all the commissions and committees which are supposed to be formed under the 23-point agreement. The meeting asked the Cabinet Political Committee headed by Minister Ram Chandra Poudel to carry out the necessary homework. The cabinet asked the committee to prepare necessary laws and suggest possible names for office bearers on the commissions and committees.

As per the 23-point agreement, the government is to form a Commission for Investigation of the Disappeared, a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, a State Reconstruction Commission, a Study and Recommendation Commission for Scientific Land Reform, a High Level Committee for Monitoring Effective Implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Accord and Other Agreements and a High Level Peace Commission.

Some new public holidays:-

Eid

Bakr Eid

Christmas

Nanak Memorial Day

Udhouli

Ubhouli

Goura

Tamu Lhosar

Sonam Lhosars

Maghi

Siruwa

source:

http://www.kantipuronline .com/kolnews.php?&nid=139 698 ...

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