Kathmandu: There is a need for a clear division of powers between the federal, provincial, and local levels for the institutional development of federalism in Nepal. Participants in today’s discussion on ‘Federalism: Constitutional Amendments and Expansion of Functions’ organized here by the Federalism and Localization Center (FLC) expressed this view.
According to National News Agency Nepal, they argued that in the changing circumstances of the country, federalism has provided clear guidelines for good governance, people’s rights, and the path of development, so there is no alternative to federalism in Nepal. At the programme, Kabindra Burlakoti, the Chief Whip of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, mentioned that his party is committed to the constitution, democracy, and federalism, and said that they will gradually solve even small problems facing the nation.
Nepali Congress’s Chief Whip Basana Thapa emphasized that it is important to ask the people of Karnali and Madhesh provinces about how significant a province is in federalism, and stressed that provinces should be empowered to strengthen federalism. Chief Whip of the Communist Party of Nepal (UML), Ain Bahadur Mahar, expressed the view that all political parties should work to fully realize the rights of the people and that everyone should come together to solve the problems facing the country.
Yubaraj Dulal, the Chief Whip of the Nepali Communist Party, said that there is no truth to the questions raised about the constitution and federalism, arguing that federalism has clearly guided the path for good governance and development. He also said that the delay in issuing the Federal Civil Service Act has caused problems in the career growth of provincial civil servants.
House of Representatives member Ganesh Bahadur Bishwakarma, Chairperson of Bagmati Province’s Provincial Affairs Committee and provincial MP Chiring Dorje Lama, Bagmati Provincial Assembly member Urmila Sunar, former minister Agni Prasad Kharel, senior advocate Radheshyam Adhikari, Chief Attorney of Madhes Province Dr. Sunilranjan Singh, former Chief Attorney Dipendra Jha, Deputy Mayor of Panauti Municipality Geeta Banjara, and former Deputy Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City Geeta Satyal also shared their views on the institutional development of democracy and the shortcomings observed in its implementation.
In the programme chaired by Dr. Khim Lal Devkota, the president of the organizing institution, the executive director of the same organization, Prakash Panth, also shared his views on the merits and utility of the constitution.