–Laxmi Prasad Paudyal
The Constitution of Nepal 2072 established Nepal as a federal democratic republic country with a federal government, 7 provincial and 753 local governments. The three levels of government have been creating various laws, programs and plans as an exercise of their constitutional rights.
The list of rights provided in the Constitution suggests that the local level is mostly responsible for service delivery. The provincial level is mainly responsible for development, construction and service delivery in the province. It has the right to coordinate between the local level and the federal and to manage plans and programs at the provincial level.
The federal government also has to manage some service delivery while conducting plans and programs for the equal development of the country. It also makes policies for the implementation of federalism, especially with reference to the common rights with the local and provincial levels.
Due to strong aspirations after the constitution, questions are raised about the implementation of federalism. The main reason for this can be taken as the strong expectations of the citizens. The second reason is the result of practicing the centralized mentality. The delay in the formulation of more than 40 laws necessary for the implementation of federalism by the federal government, has caused a delay in formulating policies for the implementation of common rights at the provincial and local levels. Thirdly, the mass wants everything fast. People who are used to a system are expecting the results in a short period of time, without giving federalism enough time to adjust. The implementation of federalism started after the local and state level elections of 2074. It has just been six years. The time to measure the maturity of this system has not yet arrived.
Building on this narrative, this article explores why federalism has such importance in the Karnali province.
Karnali Province occupies 21.6 percent of Nepal’s total area and is home to 5.8 percent of the country’s population. Karnali province is lagging behind in all development indices. With that in the backdrop, federalism, helps Karnali Province to reach a new dimension of development. The prosperity of the country also requires the development and prosperity of the most backward areas. Initiatives are needed to uplift the areas that are lagging behind in development indices.
The first opportunity that federalism has given to Karnali is to formulate policies that suit the local environment. 79 local levels of Karnali province are making policies suitable to the local environment there. The provincial level is making policies within the province. The citizens and people’s representatives are making the policy favourable to the environment and according to the need. Suitable policy as per the need ensures its implementation in the long term. The Karnali State Assembly has enacted 53 laws in its first term. This performance is good compared to other provinces. The rest of the laws will be created during the second term. The provincial assembly has got an opportunity to study the localized needs and formulate favourable policies.
The second important thing for Karnali is that federalism has brought access to service flow. Citizens are taking most of the public services through local levels. The services then provided by the district level offices are now provided through the local level and ward level. Ease of public service delivery is an important issue for citizens, addressed by federalism.
Another thing is access to governance. With the implementation of the Constitution of Nepal 2072, the access of ordinary citizens to the government has increased. All communities have inclusive representation in government and political parties due to inclusiveness. The voices of all communities have reached the policy-making arena. Opportunities have been created for the participation of women and marginalized communities in the local ward, municipal level, state assembly and federal parliament.
Even under the leadership of political parties themselves, an opportunity for inclusive and participatory representation has been created according to the new structure. When the community that is left behind reaches the decision-making and policy-making level, it is easier to include the voices of that community.
The third opportunity for Karnali is the access to resources. This also concerns the government and non-government resources. Access to government resources at the provincial and local levels has already been discussed. It can make a very important contribution to the development of Karnali province.
Provinces and local levels have an opportunity to invest in important programs in their own jurisdiction. Similarly, the rapid development of the infrastructure including roads, electricity, telephone and internet in Karnali after federalism is also an important dimension. According to the Economic Survey 2078-79, the economic growth rate of Nepal as a whole was 2.16%, while the economic growth rate of Karnali Province was 2.2%.
Apart from the government resources, Karnali has been given easy access to the resources of the non-governmental sector and development partners for the balanced and equitable development of the country. Non-governmental sectors and development partners have also started working in coordination with the local level and provincial government. Historically, the offices and work areas of development partners centred in Kathmandu but they have been gradually expanding. Therefore, federalism has given Karnali easy access to resources and development.
The geographical diversity in Karnali can now be easily addressed with need specific policies and programs formed at the provincial and local level. Federalism also gives an opportunity to promote regional development and directly address the challenges that arise. The provincial government can now prioritize infrastructure development including road construction to connect remote areas and increase economic activity. Furthermore, the provincial government can also play an important role in promoting inclusion.
The provincial government can work to increase private sector investment and create a conducive business environment. The resources here can then be properly used and the investment of the private sector can also increase. If entrepreneurship and private sector investment increase, the province can contribute to the gross domestic product, create jobs and increase the economic activity. Apart from this, there are many areas in which the province can take advantage for the development of the region by making policies suitable to its environment.
According to the law minister of the federal government, there are still 182 laws to be enacted for the implementation of the constitution. However, according to a study done by a committee of the National Assembly, it was suggested that 40 important laws should be made for the implementation of federalism. Federalism is an important opportunity for Karnali, even among the challenges such as the delay in making laws necessary for the implementation of federalism This gives an opportunity to find maximum solutions to the challenges of federalism, and to study the long-term effects and it is important to look at its comparative benefits.
There are many opportunities for the provincial and local levels to work through effective coordination. The most important thing is the maximum and effective implementation of the powers provided by the constitution to the provincial and local levels. Provincial and local levels also have the right to revise and modify those laws according to the time and need. In order to overcome the challenges such as political instability, it is necessary to establish a method of running government bodies according to the law based on institutional relations.
In conclusion, federalism has given Karnali province access to development. Marginalized communities of Karnali have access to governance. The access and opportunity for Karnali to government and non-government resources as well as development can be considered as a product of federalism. It can contribute to the prosperity and rapid development of Karnali, and for that finding the solutions for its limitations and implementing them effectively is important.
This article is a translated version of one that was published in Nepali in the Youghahwan National Daily.
