POST CONFLICT
Priorities
In
Conflict
Although the violent Maoist conflict, more or less, has come to an end, a new kind of conflict is appearing - the conflict of priority. Barred for voting for more than eight years, people living in remote parts of Nepal want elected representatives at grass root organizations and development. Rural people want predictable situation to carry out development activities and to bring about complete normalcy. Despite restoration of police posts and other state institutions in the villages, there is a long way to go to attain development, which will enhance the livelihood of people. At a time when political leaders are stressing on settling the date for CA polls, they don’t have time to show concern for the development desire
By KESHAB POUDEL reporting from Solukhumbu and Dhunche
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A High School in Junabesi Rare rural infrastaructure |
Maila B.K, 45, a porter of Salleri, 400 kilometers north east of capital, wants school, road and health posts nearby his home, which were blown away by Maoists during the conflict in the past. In absence of elected representatives at his village development committee, Maila’s day to day work is affected.
Maila - who does not know about the jargons being harped by urban elites like right to self determination, federal structure on the basis of castes and ethnicity and the elections for constituent assembly on the basis of proportional representation - simply wants to vote for his own candidate for Village Development Committee. “I don’t know what CA is but I want to vote my candidate in village development committee,” said Maila, who has cast his vote twice in the past.
Maila, who fetches essentials goods from Jiri to Salleri and other northern parts of Solukhmubu, spends half a year as a porter. “I don’t want to be a porter but I don’t have other options to feed my family,” he said. Father of two sons and a daughter, B.K. charges Rs.15 per kilo for carrying loads from Jiri to Salleri. “It takes us generally five days to bring goods from Jiri. When I was young, I could carry up to 100 kgs of goods but now, I can carry only 60-70 kgs.”
Although political parties and other various groups have been organizing rallies in the district headquarters, a large number of rural area is yet to know about the new political developments and possible date for elections.
On the way to Junabesi from district headquarter Salleri; one can see few posters regarding the constituent assembly along the road. The posters are courtesy of Democratic Strengthening Project supported by Canadian Cooperation.
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'Cultural troup in Rasuwa : Rich |
Rural people have similar expressions in Goljung and Gatlang Villages of Rasuwa district where people want elections and development together. Even leaders of political parties want to continue development programs. Politics is confined to district headquarters Dhunche where all the political parties have district offices. In rural areas one can see some youths covering their head by red scarf with a sign of star; - Maoist-affiliated Young Communist League (YCL) is making some difference.
“Many young people are joining YCL hoping that it will bring much needed development in our village,” said Chersing Tamang of Gatlang village.
Following the construction of Trishuli-Somdang road and Chilime Hydropower project, development entered into the northern parts of Rasuwa. For the eastern part of Rasuwa, trekkers going to Langtang trekking have been bringing prosperity but this is not the case with north-west Rasuwa.
Instead of political agenda, education, health and road are still the major concerns for the people. “Road, education and employment are what we want,” said Chersing.
The road linking Syaphrubesi to China ’s Kerung and Trishuli is another hope for the population of Rasuwa. However, there is no sign for the immediate construction of road even seven years after signing the agreement between Nepal and China .
“Rasuwa’s future lies on Kerung-Syaphrubesi and Trisuli road. This road will bring prosperity to our region,” said Bal Bahadur Nagarkoti district president of Nepali Congress Democratic.
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A public tap ia na village : Precious Service |
For Karma Tamang, a resident of Goljung Village Development Committee of Rasuwa district, economic issues are main concern. “I don’t much care about whether there will be elections for Constituent Assembly or not. People in village are deeply concerned over pulling out of Tourism for Rural Poverty Alleviation Program (TRPAP) from next month. After pulling out of this program, we don’t have other programs directed to bring prosperity in our village,” said Tamang.
Following the postponement of the elections for Constituent Assembly , Nepal ’s political situation is fluid and unstable as nobody can predict what will happen next. New emerging dispute between political parties on constituent assembly is sidelining the development agenda.
Development projects in the village level were virtually stopped since the dissolution of local bodies in 2002 and intensification of Maoist insurgency. Although many programs were implemented by District Development Committees through the participation of local communities and political parties, they were very insignificant.
“We have not seen any major development works carried out in our areas,” said B.K. whose team of porters also carried cement, steel, iron and other construction materials.
“With the dissolution of local bodies, the pace of development activities have drastically reduced as DDCs run by the government employees lack the legitimacy like the elected bodies,” said Binod Kumar Singh, Local Development Officer at Rasuwa. “After signing the agreement, every one is now talking about the development. People want the development activities to move fast along with the elections for CA.”
Similar situation is there in Solukhumbu where there is pressure to carry on development activities. “I have been carrying out projects like improvement of trekking trails, small irrigation projects and renovation of school buildings,” said Bharat Bahadur Dhungana local development officer of Solukhbmbu District. “With the consensus of eight political parties, I am trying to implement development programs as much as possible.”
Although the government has allocated certain amount of budget to carry out development activities, their priority now is to maintain law and order and hold the elections for Constituent Assembly.
“District administration is more concerned now to maintain law and order situation in the country and to hold the elections for CA in credible and peaceful manner. Our whole effort is directed towards it,” said Laxman Bahadur Hamal, Chief District Officer of Solukhumbu district.
In its interim strategy note, t he World Bank has indicated how development activities will be affected in the country. “Even in the best scenario, there is a considerable risk that Nepal ’s leadership will be preoccupied with the political agenda. Ignoring the development agenda could prove damaging not only for the long term needs of the country but also for the near term,” writes The World Bank’s Nepal Interim Strategy Note. “Since a new political order will not emerge for at least 12-18 months, the Bank’s strategy will have to be flexible in the near term, while not losing sight of Nepal ’s overall development needs. Therefore, while this is an Interim Strategy Note (ISN), it continues to focus on a longer term development agenda for Nepal ,” writes Nepal Interim Strategy Note published by the World Bank.
Despite signing of peace agreement, the law and order situation is yet to improve in the country. As the state authority is not in a position to impose the law, whims of certain leaders are determining every course.
As there is a lack of rule of law, rule of whim is prevailing in the districts making the situation more unpredictable and unstable. For the development to be carried out, stability and predictability are must. The new emerging trends indicate that country’s situation is very much unpredictable and uncertain as nobody knows when road will be blocked disrupting the normal lives of the people.
This is the reason many of Nepal ’s development partners are shifting their policies in Nepal from development-focused to election-focused. “Most important thing my government wants to support is the current peace process and help the government of Nepal to succeed in that. Successful development comes when you hold constituent assembly elections,” said Dr. Andrew Hall, British ambassador to Nepal . (See Spotlight May 4-10)
With per capita income just over US$270, Nepal is one of the least developed countries of the world. The continual uncertainty prevailed in the country following the dismissal of elected government in 2002 by King Gyanendra. The long term development process was completely stalled following the dismissal of accountable government.
Thanks to the successful implementation of development projects by community groups like forest user groups, community mobilized works have proved as a viable scheme in Nepal .
For the people living in Solukhumbu and Rasuwa who prefer development as their first priority, the World Bank’s interim strategy note gives some positive insight. In the conflict between development and peace, Nepal needs to strike right balance.
