Madhesh Govt announces relief package for farmers, allowance for unemployed youths

The Madhesh provincial government has announced a proposal to provide monetary relief to farmers affected by recent droughts and floods, as well as to unemployed youth aged 18–35. The plan, estimated at a total of NRs 720 million, is currently under consideration with the provincial council of ministers.

In a press conference organised on Wednesday, Chief Minister Saroj Kumar Yadav stated that NRs 370 million will be allocated for farmers, providing NRs 1,500 per kattha based on data from the Ministry of Agriculture.

For unemployed youth who have completed a bachelor’s degree, a monthly subsistence allowance of NRs 2,000 is proposed. With an estimated 148,000 eligible youth in the province, NRs 350 million would be required for this segment.

Yadav’s announcement for the support measure comes after his controversial appointment in the office on November 10, after which the Supreme Court issued an interim order restricting him from making decisions with long-term implications. 

The order stems from the controversial appointment of Yadav by the then-Provincial Head Sumitra Subedi Bhandari under Article 168(3) of the Constitution.

Article 168(3) allows the provincial head to appoint the leader of the largest party in the assembly if no coalition can be formed under Article 168(2). However, the opposition had argued that a coalition was still possible under Article 168(2), meaning the provincial head should not have exercised authority under Article 168(3).

The controversy also led to the removal of Provincial Head Bhandari on November 11, following a recommendation by the Council of Ministers. The current Provincial Head of Madhesh Province is Surendra Labh Karma.