Kathmandu. Federalism expert Khimlal Devkota has said that the state machinery has reached the doorstep of the people due to federalism.
Speaking at a program organized in Kathmandu on the occasion of Constitution Day, he explained federalism as an important basis of constitutional decentralization.
Devkota clarified that Nepal’s constitution has divided power by arranging three tiers of state machinery, emphasizing that federalism is essential to make citizens in remote areas feel the presence of the government.
Highlighting inclusivity as a significant achievement of the constitution, he mentioned that women’s representation is significant at the local level. He stated that everyone must work together to protect such achievements gained through the constitution and political movements.
Devkota informed that with the implementation of federalism, there has been a wide expansion of financial resources and service delivery at the local level. Recalling that Village Development Committees and municipalities received very little grants in the past, he presented data showing a significant increase in the budget size of local levels now.
According to Devkota, after the implementation of federalism, government employees and service-providing organizations have also reached the local level. He claimed that out of about one lakh civil servants in the country, sixty thousand employees have been adjusted and have moved to the lower levels under the federal structure. Recalling the past compulsion of having to go to the district headquarters even for basic services related to agriculture, livestock, education, and health, he said that all related service-providing organizations have now been established at the local level.
Speaking at the program, Devkota clarified the decentralization of governance. ‘Currently, the constitution has arranged three tiers of state machinery,’ he said, ‘If governance is run only from Kathmandu, citizens in remote areas cannot feel the presence of the government.’
He stated that although not all the work citizens desire can be done immediately, the aspect of financial transfer is very good. ‘The budget of municipalities that used to receive 15-20 lakh grants has now reached an average of 80 crore,’ Devkota added, ‘Such a large financial transfer is an achievement given by federalism and the constitution, which we should not forget.’
He viewed the issue of state structures reaching the lower levels very positively. ‘Organizations and employees have reached the doorstep of the people,’ he said, ‘The situation of having to go to the district headquarters for minor tasks is ending, and now all delivery organizations have reached the municipalities and provinces.’
Despite so many achievements, Devkota pointed out that there is still a need for improvement in the practice of federalism. He complained that the tendency to concentrate power and resources in the center has not been completely eradicated. He stated that the tendency of Prime Ministers and ministers to concentrate budgets only in their respective constituencies rather than for the entire country still persists.
Devkota emphasized the need to protect the achievements gained from federalism and to promptly address and improve the shortcomings seen in its implementation.
Leave a comment