Kathmandu, July 17 -- Talks between the government and victims of predatory lending have moved in a positive direction, although the two sides failed to reach a formal agreement on Thursday.

A meeting was held at Singha Durbar between a five-member government team led by Pushkar Sapkota, secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, and representatives of the Farmers and Labourers' Movement Against Usury, a network representing loan-sharking victims. The formal negotiations followed an understanding reached earlier between Home Minister Sudan Gurung and the victims after several rounds of discussions.

Under the understanding, the government will classify usury as a serious economic crime and establish a dedicat...