Nepal Literature Discusses Challenges of Federalism

Why stay in the homeland ?

Although federalism is in its second tenure, the separation of roles and responsibilities of the concerned people and organizations is still debatable. The three levels of government have been playing the blame game for the ineffectiveness of federalism.

Observers have been saying that although federalism is a political agenda, the bureaucracy has not changed its mindset towards it. Due to the lack of bureaucrats who understand the spirit of federalism, problems with federalism persist.

However, the Mayor of Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City, Gopi Hamal, does not consider bureaucracy as the problem of federalism. According to Hamal, political parties and their mindset remain the main challenges of federalism.

“Bureaucracy is not a big challenge,” says Hamal. “People with vested interests are the real problem.”

The vested interest of political parties to strengthen their groups is the main problem. This situation has led to corruption, says Hamal, who won as an independent candidate in last year’s local level election.

“The motive of strengthening political parties is to feed their cadres,” says Hamal. “The mobilization of cadres is the main root of corruption.”

Nawaraj Ojha, chair of Rupa Rural Municipality, also agrees with Hamal. He also said that bureaucracy is not a problem of federalism. In his two tenures as chairperson of the rural municipality, he has not faced problems from government officials.

“People’s representatives have the main role to convince citizens about federalism,” says Ojha. “It is their responsibility to implement federalism.”

Gopal claims that the representatives of political parties are disloyal to their duties. Their loyalty is limited only to lectures but not in practicality.

Ojha complains that the provincial government has not cooperated well with the local government. Although he has requested the provincial government to not send projects worth less than Rs 5 million, their request has remained unheard.

“But they send projects worth Rs 50,000,” says Ojha. “Those projects are still pending.”

The Deputy Mayor of Beni Municipality said that the lack of cooperation from the central and provincial government has stranded many projects.

Dilli Ram Subedi, a member of parliament of Gandaki Province, claims that errors in the constitution have created challenges for federalism.

“The points in the constitution have not clearly mentioned the implementation of federalism,” says Subedi.