9th Constitution Day: Administrative and fiscal federalism yet to be realized, says CM Kandel

Surkhet, Sept: The country is celebrating ninth anniversary of the promulgation of the Constitution of Nepal-2015, today.

There is a three-tier government in the country as per the Constitution. In the implementation of federalism, all provinces have their own place and Karnali province is one of them.     

Meanwhile RSS Karnali province office chief Sur Bahadur Singh and correspondent Hemant KC talked with Karnali Province Chief Minister Yam Lal Kandel about various issues including utilization of rights guaranteed by constitution, challenges seen in course of formulating acts, laws, their implementation, achievements made and expectation with federal government in the context of the Constitution Day.     

About the significant achievements made in province level after the promulgation of the Constitution of Nepal-2072 BS, Chief Minister Kandel said structures have been built as envisaged by the constitution during the period. Laws for the operation of these structures have been enacted to some extent. Some activities have been executed. I see there is a situation to seriously review and evaluate the people's aspirations and expectation. A kind of dissatisfaction and distress of the people has been seen due to the struggle for power among the people, although development and construction, and economic prosperity are the main priority.     

Talking about the existing structural and legal arrangements for province government in course of implementing its policies, programmes and action plan, he shared that there are some weakness in the operation of structures, so it seems that discussion should be held about building structures in province level or make it active or effective in coming days.     

Basically, the country has adopted federalism according to the constitution, but I think some activities have not been carried out due to centric mentality in all levels to implement the things mentioned in the constitution till the date.     

"We have implemented one level of political federalism to make federal structure or province active. But positive message of provinces has not been disseminated in lack of full implementation of administrative and fiscal federalism. The role of province should be effective. People's support might have been increased if the provinces implemented their rights efficiently whatever rights they have received," he mentioned.     

Chief Minister Kandel shared that he does not agree about conflict among three tiers of the government in course of implementing the constitution. But there is some misunderstanding and differences in terms of implementation and understanding, which should be removed. The way we have implemented political federalism, the political structures were formed accordingly.     

Responding to a query about scrapping the federal structure, he said those who are saying that federal structures should be scrapped as it has become a brden on the national coffers as well as has not become financially and politically viable have their destinations somewhere else. It is not necessary to hold much discussion about it.     

Power struggle has now become the main agenda which is affecting development construction and putting the activities related to the serving the people under shadow. People's trust towards federal system would be increased if we fulfill our responsibilities from our respective places, he explained.     

The Chief Minister further said some of the parties have been skeptical on constitution amendment citing that people's rights would be curtailed if constitution was amended, which is not right. I think people's expectation towards development construction would be addressed from constitution if we hold discussion with open mind.     

He underlined, "I have taken the responsibility of the Chief Minister four months ago. In the meantime, comparative study of activities I have carried out should be done. The federal government has not yet made some of the laws. It would be easier to us if the federal laws were formulated. Laws that should be formulated by province should be compatible with constitution and federal laws. Mainly, it has already become late to enact the Civil Service Act, the Education Act and the Police Adjustment Act to ensure administrative federalism. Meanwhile, we have been holding discussion in the province assembly about laws of local-level. It will be passed from this session of the province assembly."     

Karnali Province Assembly has been carrying out activities regarding formulating laws reated to Dalits and Transport Service, but has been facing problems after the federal government is delaying formulating laws, the CM opined.     

Talking about the provincial pride projects and policy and structural-level reforms to give momentum to development projects, he expressed the view that there are numerous projects. Budget was allocated in Karnali province without determining province's priorities. The budget was brought this year in order to complete projects gradually where budget has already been invested and giving priority to the budget allocation. As he said, no new plans were introduced this year.     

“We called the stakeholders and asked them to complete the construction activities soon and get reward. I am making environment conducive for the same. Four roads of Karnali province are in my priority. Activities for the establishment of a cement factory in Surkhet and construction of provincial pride project 'Integrated Administrative Building', will begin in near future. However, it is not easy to make it happen,” he stated.     

Chief Minister Kandel further said that the draft of the second five-year plan is in preparation phase and the Provincial Planning Commission has been working on it, keeping it in priority. The major thing is to pass the plan first. A trend should be established to bring budget, policy and programmes as per the plan of the Commission. The government has been moving ahead in order to make plan taking its ownership.     

At last, I want to extend best wishes to all people including Karnali folks on the occasion of Constitution Day, 2081. The present constitution and governance system is the result of sacrifice and devotion of many Nepali people. We cannot look for its alternative right now. But political parties should pay attention to make the constitution useful for life.     

"We should boost self-confidence that a prosperous Karnali could be built through people’s representatives. Constitution is the document that can be amended. Let’s talk about progressive changes, but don’t create conflict, misunderstanding in the name of alternative to the present constitution and system. I wish healthy, long-life and progress to all Nepalis and Karnali folks on the occasion of the Constitution Day.(RSS)