Independent watchdogs

Madheshi Commissionमधेशी आयोग

Watchdogs keep power in check. They must be strong, independent — and accountable themselves.

The System Independent watchdogs

Acting Chairpersonकार्यवाहक अध्यक्षजीवछ साह
Jiwachh sahas of 2026-10-11Photo: madheshicommission.gov.np

Members: Chairperson and up to four other members (Art. 262(1)).अध्यक्ष र बढीमा अन्य चार सदस्य (धारा २६२(१))।
How the chair and members are appointed: Appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council (Art. 262(2)); a parliamentary hearing is held before appointment (Art. 292).संवैधानिक परिषद्को सिफारिसमा राष्ट्रपतिबाट नियुक्ति (धारा २६२(२)); नियुक्तिअघि संसदीय सुनुवाइ हुन्छ (धारा २९२)।
Term: Six years from the date of appointment (Art. 262(3)).नियुक्ति भएको मितिले छ वर्ष (धारा २६२(३))।

Madheshi Commission · Government of Nepal Part 27, Art. 262 Official website

What it must do

The Constitution creates the Madhesi Commission (a chairperson and up to four members, six-year term) but leaves its functions, duties and powers to federal law.संविधानले मधेशी आयोग (अध्यक्ष र बढीमा चार सदस्य, छ वर्षको पदावधि) को व्यवस्था गरेको छ, तर यसको काम, कर्तव्य र अधिकार सङ्घीय कानूनबमोजिम हुने भनेको छ। Government of Nepal Art. 262(1), 262(3), 262(4), PDF p.154
Study the overall situation of the Madhesi community and recommend policy, legal and institutional reforms; draft national policies and programmes for protecting its rights and empowering it; and suggest steps where existing arrangements are not implemented.मधेशी समुदायको समग्र स्थितिको अध्ययन गरी नीतिगत, कानूनी र संस्थागत सुधारका लागि सिफारिस गर्ने; हक हितको संरक्षण र सशक्तीकरणका लागि राष्ट्रिय नीति तथा कार्यक्रम तर्जुमा गरी सिफारिस गर्ने; र विद्यमान व्यवस्था कार्यान्वयन नभएमा चाल्नुपर्ने कदमबारे सुझाव दिने। Nepal Law Commission Act s.7(क)-(घ), pp.3-4
Review, monitor and evaluate policies and programmes for the Madhesi community and monitor implementation of its own recommendations.मधेशी समुदायसम्बन्धी नीति तथा कार्यक्रमको समीक्षा, अनुगमन र मूल्याङ्कन गर्ने, र आफ्ना सिफारिसको कार्यान्वयनको अनुगमन गर्ने। Nepal Law Commission Act s.7(ङ), 7(च), p.4
Recommend programmes on language, script, culture, history and literature, on ending harmful practices and exploitation; and monitor implementation of international treaties relating to the community.भाषा, लिपि, संस्कृति, इतिहास, साहित्यको संरक्षण, कुरीति तथा शोषणको अन्त्यका कार्यक्रम सिफारिस गर्ने; र यस समुदायसम्बन्धी अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय सन्धि सम्झौता कार्यान्वयनको अनुगमन गर्ने। Nepal Law Commission Act s.7(ज)-(ट), pp.4-5
Collect complaints against persons or institutions that violate the rights of the Madhesi community and recommend investigation to the relevant body; and study and recommend the listing of Madhesi surnames.मधेशी समुदायको अधिकार उल्लङ्घन गर्ने व्यक्ति वा संस्थाविरुद्ध उजुरी सङ्कलन गरी छानबिन तथा तहकिकातका लागि सम्बन्धित निकायमा सिफारिस गर्ने; र थर सूचीकृत गर्न अध्ययन गरी सिफारिस गर्ने। Nepal Law Commission Act s.7(ठ), 7(ड), p.5
Office-holders cannot be reappointed and cannot later take other government service, except political posts or inquiry and advisory roles.पदाधिकारी पुनः नियुक्त हुन सक्दैनन्, र राजनीतिक पद वा छानबिन/सल्लाहकारी पदबाहेक अन्य सरकारी सेवामा नियुक्त हुन सक्दैनन्। Nepal Law Commission Act s.5, s.6, p.3

Its stated goals

The Commission states its main objective as identifying the history and culture of the Madhesi community, protecting and promoting its rights, and empowering it.मधेशी समुदायको इतिहास र संस्कृतिको पहिचान, हक हितको संरक्षण र संवर्द्धन तथा सशक्तीकरण गर्नु आयोगको मुख्य उद्देश्य रहेको आयोगले जनाएको छ। Madhesi Commission AR8 section 1.2, printed p.1 (PDF p.39)
For the coming years the Commission lists: targeted policies for Madhesi women and Madhesi Dalits; a human rights strategy; self-employment through a 'Madhesi youth enterprise programme'; working with local governments on a 'language inclusion action plan'; and policy dialogue on effective Madhesi participation in federal governance.आगामी वर्षका लागि आयोगले मधेशी महिला र मधेशी दलितका लागि लक्षित नीति, मानव अधिकार कार्यनीति, 'मधेशी युवा उद्यम कार्यक्रम' मार्फत स्वरोजगार, स्थानीय तहसँग 'भाषिक समावेशिता कार्ययोजना' र सङ्घीय शासनमा मधेशी समुदायको प्रभावकारी सहभागिताका लागि नीति संवाद सूचीकृत गरेको छ। Madhesi Commission AR8 foreword (मन्तव्य) by the acting chairperson, PDF p.25

What it has delivered

Complaints: 22 complaints and grievances reached the Commission during the reporting period; it forwarded them to the relevant bodies with recommendations for investigation.उजुरी: प्रतिवेदन अवधिमा आयोगमा २२ वटा उजुरी तथा गुनासा प्राप्त भए; आयोगले छानबिन र तहकिकातका लागि सम्बन्धित निकायमा सिफारिस गरी पठायो। (FY 2082/83 (BS)) Madhesi Commission AR8 executive summary p.i (PDF p.29); section 2.1.1, printed p.5 (PDF p.43); details in Annex 2
Studies: the Commission published a study on protecting the languages, scripts, religions and cultures of the Madhesi community, and a study of Awadhi folk tales.अध्ययन: मधेशी समुदायका भाषा, लिपि, धर्म र संस्कृतिको संरक्षणसम्बन्धी अध्ययन र अवधी लोकवार्ताको अध्ययन प्रकाशित गरियो। (FY 2082/83 (BS)) Madhesi Commission AR8 section 5.1, items 1-2, printed p.29 (PDF p.67)
Outreach: empowerment orientation programmes were held in districts across several provinces (including Siraha, Banke, Saptari, Morang, Kanchanpur, Makwanpur and Tanahun), along with an ethics-education programme in Bara, Morang and Dhanusha.जनचेतना: सिराहा, बाँके, सप्तरी, मोरङ, कञ्चनपुर, मकवानपुर, तनहुँ लगायतका जिल्लामा सशक्तीकरणसम्बन्धी अभिमुखीकरण कार्यक्रम र बारा, मोरङ तथा धनुषामा नैतिक शिक्षा कार्यक्रम सञ्चालन गरियो। (FY 2082/83 (BS)) Madhesi Commission AR8 section 5.1, items 3-4, printed p.29 (PDF p.67)
The Auditor General audited Rs 4 crore 10 lakh of the Commission's FY 2081/82 spending and notes that, that year, the Commission made suggestions on 38 subjects (including social discrimination, gender-based and domestic violence, drinking water, child marriage and the protection of historic temples in the Tarai-Madhesh). The OAG section does not list any outstanding irregularities for the Commission.महालेखापरीक्षकले आयोगको आ.व. २०८१/८२ को रु. ४ करोड १० लाख खर्चको लेखापरीक्षण गर्‍यो र सो वर्ष आयोगले सामाजिक विभेद, लैङ्गिक तथा घरेलु हिंसा, खानेपानी, बालविवाह, तराई-मधेशका ऐतिहासिक मठमन्दिर संरक्षण लगायत ३८ विषयमा सुझाव सिफारिस गरेको उल्लेख गरेको छ। उक्त खण्डमा आयोगको बाँकी बेरुजु देखाइएको छैन। (FY 2081/82 (BS)) Office of the Auditor General, Nepal OAG 63rd report printed p.79 (PDF p.111)

Where it falls short

Leadership vacancy: the founding chairperson's term ended on 2081 Chaitra 6, and a member has served as acting chairperson since 2081 Chaitra 7. Another member's resignation took effect from 2082 Bhadra 29. The report says the Commission has one acting chairperson and two members, out of a possible five office-holders.पदाधिकारी रिक्त: पहिलो अध्यक्षको कार्यकाल २०८१ चैत ६ मा समाप्त भएपछि २०८१ चैत ७ देखि एक सदस्य कार्यवाहक अध्यक्ष हुनुहुन्छ। अर्का सदस्यको राजीनामा २०८२ भदौ २९ देखि लागू भयो। आयोगमा बढीमा पाँच पदाधिकारी रहनसक्नेमा एक कार्यवाहक अध्यक्ष र दुई सदस्य कार्यरत रहेको प्रतिवेदनमा उल्लेख छ। Madhesi Commission · Government of Nepal AR8 section 1.1, printed p.1 (PDF p.39); section 1.4, printed p.4 (PDF p.42); Const. Art. 262(1)
Resources: the Commission names incomplete staffing and limited resources as its main challenges, along with no land or building of its own, no posts for experts despite research-heavy work, and too little budget for studies and integrated data.स्रोत: जनशक्ति पूर्ण नहुनु र स्रोत साधन सीमित हुनु मुख्य चुनौती रहेको, साथै आफ्नै जग्गा र भवन नहुनु, अध्ययन-अनुसन्धानमुखी कामका लागि विज्ञको दरबन्दी नहुनु, र अध्ययन तथा एकीकृत तथ्याङ्कका लागि पर्याप्त बजेट नहुनु आयोगले चुनौतीका रूपमा उल्लेख गरेको छ। Madhesi Commission AR8 section 5.2, items 2-5, printed p.30 (PDF p.68)
Contact ministry: the Commission says it recommended that the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers become its contact ministry, but this has not been done.सम्पर्क मन्त्रालय: प्रधानमन्त्री तथा मन्त्रिपरिषद्को कार्यालयलाई सम्पर्क मन्त्रालय बनाउन सिफारिस गरे पनि त्यो व्यवस्था नभएको आयोगले जनाएको छ। Madhesi Commission AR8 section 5.2, item 11, printed p.31 (PDF p.69)
Reserved posts: the Commission states that for the past five years constitutionally reserved, inclusive posts in bodies including the security agencies have not been filled.आरक्षित पद: सुरक्षा निकायलगायतका निकायमा संविधानप्रदत्त समानुपातिक-समावेशी आरक्षित पदसङ्ख्या विगत पाँच वर्षदेखि पदपूर्ति हुन नसकेको आयोगले उल्लेख गरेको छ। Madhesi Commission AR8 section 5.2, item 12, printed p.31 (PDF p.69)
Staffing: 26 posts, including a first-class gazetted secretary, are sanctioned under the government-approved organisation structure. The Auditor General's report records 13 sanctioned posts.जनशक्ति: नेपाल सरकारबाट स्वीकृत सङ्गठन संरचनाअनुसार रा.प. प्रथम श्रेणीको सचिवसहित २६ जना कर्मचारीको दरबन्दी स्वीकृत छ। महालेखापरीक्षकको प्रतिवेदनमा भने १३ दरबन्दी उल्लेख छ। Madhesi Commission · Office of the Auditor General, Nepal AR8 section 1.4, printed p.4 (PDF p.42) and Annex 1, printed p.38; OAG 63rd report printed p.79

How to make it stronger

Make the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers the Commission's contact ministry.प्रधानमन्त्री तथा मन्त्रिपरिषद्को कार्यालयलाई आयोगको सम्पर्क मन्त्रालय बनाउने।
The Commission says this would make its work more effective.यसले आयोगको काम प्रभावकारी बनाउने आयोगको भनाइ छ। Madhesi Commission
Fill the constitutionally reserved inclusive posts, including in the security agencies.सुरक्षा निकायलगायतमा संविधानप्रदत्त समावेशी आरक्षित पद पदपूर्ति गर्ने।
The Commission says leaving these posts unfilled for five years has eroded community trust.पाँच वर्षदेखि पद खाली रहँदा समुदायमा विश्वासको सङ्कट उत्पन्न भएको आयोगको भनाइ छ। Madhesi Commission
Run research-based programmes that identify the community's real problems, prioritise solutions, and coordinate with local, provincial and federal governments.समुदायका वास्तविक समस्या पहिचान गर्ने अनुसन्धानमा आधारित कार्यक्रम सञ्चालन गर्ने, समाधानको प्राथमिकता तोक्ने, र स्थानीय, प्रदेश र सङ्घीय सरकारसँग समन्वय गर्ने।
The Auditor General recommends this to make the Commission's work more effective.आयोगको कार्य प्रभावकारी बनाउन महालेखापरीक्षकले यस्तो सुझाव दिएको छ। Office of the Auditor General, Nepal

Who holds it to account

Annual report: the Commission must submit an annual report to the President, who has it laid before the Federal Parliament through the Prime Minister. The Commission submitted its eighth report (FY 2082/83) with a letter dated 2083 Bhadra 17, citing Art. 294 and section 22 of its Act.वार्षिक प्रतिवेदन: आयोगले राष्ट्रपतिसमक्ष वार्षिक प्रतिवेदन पेस गर्नुपर्छ र राष्ट्रपतिले प्रधानमन्त्रीमार्फत सङ्घीय संसद्मा पेस गर्न लगाउनुहुन्छ। आयोगले आठौँ प्रतिवेदन (आ.व. २०८२/८३) संविधानको धारा २९४ र ऐनको दफा २२ बमोजिम २०८३ भदौ १७ को पत्रसाथ पेस गरेको छ। Government of Nepal · Madhesi Commission Const. Art. 294(1), PDF p.172; AR8 covering letter, PDF p.15 (cites Act s.22)
Impeachment: the House of Representatives may remove the chief or an official of a constitutional body by a two-thirds majority on grounds such as serious violation of the Constitution and law, incompetence or misconduct; the Act lists a passed impeachment motion as a ground on which the post falls vacant.महाभियोग: संविधान र कानूनको गम्भीर उल्लङ्घन, अक्षमता वा खराब आचरण जस्ता आधारमा प्रतिनिधि सभाले दुई तिहाइ बहुमतले संवैधानिक निकायका प्रमुख वा पदाधिकारीलाई पदमुक्त गर्न सक्छ; महाभियोग पारित भएमा पद रिक्त हुने व्यवस्था ऐनमा पनि छ। Government of Nepal · Nepal Law Commission Const. Art. 101(2), PDF pp.54-55; Act s.4(घ), p.3
Parliamentary hearing: the chairperson and members are appointed on the Constitutional Council's recommendation and go through a parliamentary hearing before appointment.संसदीय सुनुवाइ: अध्यक्ष र सदस्य संवैधानिक परिषद्को सिफारिसमा नियुक्त हुन्छन् र नियुक्तिअघि संसदीय सुनुवाइ हुन्छ। Government of Nepal Art. 292(1), PDF pp.171-172
Parliamentary monitoring: chiefs and officials of constitutional bodies are accountable to the Federal Parliament, and House of Representatives committees may monitor and evaluate their work and reports.संसदीय अनुगमन: संवैधानिक निकायका प्रमुख र पदाधिकारी सङ्घीय संसद्प्रति उत्तरदायी हुन्छन्; प्रतिनिधि सभाका समितिले तिनको काम र प्रतिवेदनको अनुगमन तथा मूल्याङ्कन गर्न सक्छन्। Government of Nepal Art. 293, PDF p.172
Provincial reports: the Commission says it submitted its first to seventh annual reports to the President, and its seventh report also to the heads of Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini and Sudurpashchim provinces.प्रदेश प्रतिवेदन: पहिलोदेखि सातौँसम्मका वार्षिक प्रतिवेदन राष्ट्रपतिसमक्ष, र सातौँ प्रतिवेदन कोशी, मधेश, बागमती, गण्डकी, लुम्बिनी तथा सुदूरपश्चिम प्रदेश प्रमुखसमक्ष पनि पेस गरेको आयोगले जनाएको छ। Government of Nepal · Madhesi Commission Const. Art. 294(3), PDF p.172; AR8 section 2.2.1, printed p.6 (PDF p.44)
External audit: the Auditor General audits the accounts of constitutional bodies. Its 63rd annual report records an audit of Rs 4 crore 10 lakh of the Commission's FY 2081/82 transactions.बाह्य लेखापरीक्षण: महालेखापरीक्षकले संवैधानिक निकायको हिसाब लेखापरीक्षण गर्छ। महालेखापरीक्षकको ६३औँ वार्षिक प्रतिवेदनमा आयोगको आ.व. २०८१/८२ को रु. ४ करोड १० लाखको कारोबारको लेखापरीक्षण भएको उल्लेख छ। Government of Nepal · Office of the Auditor General, Nepal Const. Art. 241(1), PDF p.126; OAG 63rd report printed p.79

Sources

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