Govt On Right Track

Federal republican set-up forms the cornerstone of constitution promulgated by the elected Constituent Assembly in 2015. The current coalition government, formed following the second general election held last year, is putting best foot forward to ensure stability, good governance, and efficient service delivery. There was a sense of suspicion whether the present government will sail smoothly as the third largest party – CPN-Maoist Centre – is leading it.  But such inkling no longer exists now. The coalition leaders are confident of the success of this dispensation committed to run the affairs of state as per the spirit of constitution and aspirations of the people. However, as the government inches closer to marking its first year in office, some anti-systemic elements have started to vent venom against the statute and the government to reverse the hard-won achievements of past movements and revolutions.

In his recent public speeches, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda has warned against the regressive elements involved in hatching conspiracy and spreading rumours against the federal republic. According to the PM, anti-systemic forces have been panicked after the government achieved visible progress in the areas of social justice, good governance, prosperity and climate diplomacy. He made this remark while addressing a programme ‘Maoists with People: A Campaign for Special Transformation’ in Kathmandu the other day. Attacking democratic republic, federalism and secularism amounts to undermining the fundamental rights of various castes, classes and gender groups. Right from the formation of the government, a section of people had predicted that Nepal would face the fate of Sri Lanka where the economy collapsed and its prime minister and president fled the country following a massive public protest. But those comparing Nepal with Sri Lanka proved wrong as Nepal under the new administration gradually overcome economic problems.

In a move to ensure social justice, the government enacted laws to support the victims of loan sharks, which were the remnants of centuries-old feudal system. It is working to amend the Act related to Forest and Land to provide land to tens of thousands of landless squatters so as to sort out the problems of landless squatters. According to the PM, the government has addressed the plight of millions of children born to Nepali parents who were deprived of citizenship rights. Around 700,000-800,000 persons have received the citizenship certificates. Similarly, millions of Nepali migrant workers as well as those who are self-employed in various sectors within the country have been included in the social security scheme. To promote good governance, the government has launched investigation into various corruption scams, smuggling and transfer of public land into private ownership.  

The government has formed a probe body to look into sale of shares of Ncell while instructing it to study the impact of Ncell's move on the tax system, foreign investment and provision of Nepal government taking ownership of the company after some years. "There is a fault in the buy-and sell of the shares and it must be investigated to bring out truth," said PM Prachanda. The government is working in close coordination with the private sector to solve the economic issues related to microfinance and bank interest rates. The latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) shows positive signs about the national economy that is gradually gaining foothold. There is no alternative to federal republic, and social, economic and cultural issues which can be handled within broader democratic framework.