Ordinances For Fast Delivery

In a sweeping move to restructure the administrative sector and fast-track development works, the government has brought six ordinances. The ordinances such as Cooperative (First Amendment), 2083, Public Procurement (Second Amendment), 2083, Asset (Money Laundering) Prevention  (Third Amendment Ordinances, 2083 and Removal of Public Office Holders (Special Arrangement) bear broader implications in the economic, administration, education, health, agriculture and other sectors. The issuance of ordinances seeks to fulfill the government's commitment to the people in a time-bound manner. The outcomes of the March 5 elections have a clear message - control corruption, end instability, create jobs and make service delivery effective. Bearing in mind the soaring public expectations, the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has unveiled a ‘100-point reform action plan’ for five years (2026 to 2031). As per this, it will strive to achieve 7 per cent economic growth, increase the size of the economy close to $100 billion, raise per capita income to over $3000 and generate 1.2 million jobs.

Around five weeks had elapsed since the formation of the government. Despite a huge mandate, it has apparently faced some obstacles in realise its own goals owing to the holdovers from the previous governments of old political parties. This is a reason why the government recommended President Ramchandra Paudel to endorse the ordinances so as to accelerate the reform agenda. On Saturday, the President issued an Ordinance to amend some Nepal Acts related to health science institutes, 2083 BS, Ordinance on Special Provisions regarding the Dismissal of Public Officials, 2083 BS and the Ordinance to amend some Nepal Acts related to universities, 2083 BS in accordance with Article 114 of the Constitution of Nepal and on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers. The ordinance related to the removal of at least 1,594 politically appointed officials has created a ripple. It has rendered all political appointments made prior to March 26 null and void, regardless of their terms of reference. 

This has impacted state-owned institutions, universities, regulatory bodies, councils, boards, media institutions, and academic and social sectors. The leadership in the two transitional bodies - the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Nepal Electricity Authority has been removed, but the Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank has not been given a marching order.  Now the government should step up to fill the vacant leadership positions in them so that service delivery, particularly in the education and health areas, is not hit hard. The government has criticisms for resorting to the ordinances to cleanse the administration despite having a near two-thirds majority in the parliament. 

However, a minister has defended the ordinances, stating that they were brought with good intentions. In a video posted on her Facebook page, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Sobita Gautam has claimed that the government has no hidden motives behind the issuance of the ordinances. Gautam said that the ordinances seek to enable the government to accomplish good work swiftly and make its performance effective, thereby sorting out the people's problems. She has insisted that it will take three or four months to make laws in the parliament, even if the lawmakers work speedily.  The parliament has to endorse these ordinances within sixty days for their legitimacy. With the needed laws, now the government has to prove its mettle and meet its promises without any delay.