Govt's all levels should promote good governance: Minister Gurung

Patan (Lalitpur), April 10: Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung has said that all three levels of government should focus on promoting good governance in the course of implementing federalism in the country.     

At a discussion program on inter-governmental relationships in federalism organized here today by the Provincial Good Governance Center, Bagmati and the Federalism and Localization Center, Communications Minister Gurung, who is also the spokesperson of the Government of Nepal, said that all three levels of government should emphasize good governance along with fiscal federalism.     

He also suggested that there should be only five to seven ministries in the provinces, and the responsibility of the Ministry of Internal Affairs could be placed under the Chief Minister's Office.

Emphasizing the need to develop the country in an inclusive manner by internalizing the essence and spirit of federalism, he said the provinces should focus on increasing their income, developing small and cottage industries, and improving the living standards of the citizens.     

A law and office related to the Inter-Provincial Coordination Council should manage to address inter-conflict and interdependence, and related issues to inter-government relationship.     

Likewise, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ajay Kumar Chaurasia stressed the need to implement federalism by enacting laws that empower provinces and local governments in service delivery.     

Stating that the ministry is committed to enacting laws that include everyone as provided for in the constitution, he said that significant work has been done in the areas of drinking water, health, and education, along with the development of physical infrastructure at the local level after the implementation of federalism.     

Chair of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee Ramhari Khatiwada assured that bills such as the Civil Servants Act and the Police Act will be passed in the upcoming session of the parliament.     

Spokesperson of the Bagmati Province Government and Minister for Internal Affairs and Law Suraj Chandra Lamichhane expressed his belief that the discussions and debates held during the implementation of federalism will promote good governance and facilitate service delivery.     

On the occasion, Chair of the Federalism and Localization Center, Dr Khimlal Devkota, discussed the theme of inter-level relations in the context of federalism, and said that although the Inter-Provincial Council has made various decisions to strengthen inter-tier relations they have not been implemented.     

He was of the view that despite the many formal institutions in the country there has been no expected progress in the implementation of federalism due to lack of proactive measures.(RSS)