April 2: Government officials and representatives of loan-shark victims signed a five-point agreement on Saturday after the government pledged to form a high-level commission to probe into the woes of usury victims.

As per the agreement, the next Cabinet meeting will form such a commission and then the agitating committee will call off its protest programmes. Both sides have agreed to recommend the Nepal government to form a probe commission in a bid to address the problems faced by the victims.

The illegal money lenders have been found charging high interest rates to the illiterate, poor and economically weaker section of populace by preparing fake document of financial transactions, capturing the wealth of borrowers and exploiting the victims in different pretexts. 

Two sides have agreed to recommend the government  for the formation of a district level committee under the coordination of Chief District Officer(CDO) to routinely hear and redress the complaints of loan sharks' victims. 

The committee will comprise representatives of Nepal Police, government attorney, chiefs of land revenue and survey office, bank and financial institutions and loan sharks' victims. 

The committee would be tasked to collect complaints and grievances from the victims and also aid to gather evidences. Similarly, it would also facilitate for legal aid and awareness. 

On behalf of the government talks team, joint secretary Pradeep Kumar Koirala, deputy secretaries Junga Bahadur Dangi, Umakanta Adhikari and Dilkumar Tamang and Superintendent of Police Dinesh Raj Mainali signed the agreement. 

In the same manner, Manoj Paswan, Shyam Kumar Chaudhary, Sangharsha Dahal, Ramrijhan Yadav and Chhedilal Pasman signed the agreement on behalf of the struggle committee.