Decentralisation Process
On The March

By Mukti Rijal

PARLIAMENTARY debates are generally watched with interest and issues raised by lawmakers draw media attention. The ongoing session of the Parliament evinced more interest especially when parliamentarians discussed the appropriations relating to the Ministry of Local development. There are several reasons for it. Following the enactment of the Local Self-governance Act, decentralisation has been a subject most discussed and controverted in this country. Political parties, bureaucracy and civil society have found in it a theme that is most crucial and important to steer the country in a new direction.

Theme

Decentralisation is also a theme that is most feared and appreciated according to the interests involved. Bureaucracy has every reason to fear it lest decentralisation would take away power and glamour vested in it. Some politicians too might look at the decentralising process with suspicion.

Decentralisation is a process more geared towards empowerment of communities and local initiatives. It leads to weakening of the hold of a certain group of political elites and promotes recruitment of marginalised populace into political and development process. It strengthens voice of people at the rung and builds articulations from bottom. It consolidates democracy and even helps to gradually weed out the vestiges of inegalitarian values embedded in social structures. Some sections might argue against decentralisation for fear of losing social and political grip.

However, the context in Nepal has evolved into such a favourable clime that no responsible person of institution dares to plead against decentralisation and cry to reverse the process. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Local Development Ram Chandra Poudel observe in the Parliament last week emphasising that the decentralisation is here to stay and develop. It is, therefore, incumbent upon the institutions concerned to own and help accelerate the process.

One cannot take decentralisation as an easy process, which can be moved at a faster pace. It is a difficult and also a complex notion especially at the context where centralisation is well rooted and become part of political and bureaucratic tradition. Nepal cannot be an exception to it. Nepal has an improved legal framework for decentralisation and local self-governance in the form of Local Self-Governance Act and the corresponding rules and regulations have been adopted. There is but no point in taking solace from them.

Centralised tendencies might strike and seek to disturb the process, if not derail it. A strong foundation and critical constituency have been thankfully created to offset any attempts to derail the decentralisation process. Some good initiatives to implement the act testify to the fact that it is definitely catching some momentum.

The Finance Commission is at work to evolve formula for revenue sharing. Local bodies-DDCs and VDCs-being categorised based on the objective data and criteria. Discussions are on about how to endow local bodies with more capacity especially in administrative and institutional terms. Local authorities are well organised to defend their interests and rights. However, there are some minor hiccups throwing problems in the process.

In an interaction with some leaders of local government this writer had recently imparted an impression that the local bodies have become a growing force in this country and local leadership has got more committed to defend their competencies. They are very sensitive in the sense that a minor step affecting their rights and sanctity is reacted with vehemence.

Local bodies find prevalence of legislation coming into conflict with Local Self-governance Act a major impediment in the progress of decentralisation process. President of the Association of DDC Krishna Prasad Sapkota holds the view that strengthening legal framework for decentralisation might take quite a long time as the line ministries are not inclined to appreciate the rationale of decentralisation.

Dr. Jagadish Pokharel Member of National Planning Commission admits the problem especially in implementing the Local Self-Governance Act as several overlapping legislations exist. But he adds, problems are overstated.

Secretary to the Ministry of Local Development Mr. Udaya Raj Soti avers to the fact that the at least twenty five acts in force now come on the way of implementing Local Self-governance Act. More serious is the question relating to local services especially the subject of modality and approaches that need to be identified and developed.

Dr. Shyam Bhurtel, secretary general of the Association of district development Committees talks in an optimistic note and stresses that decentralisation should transcend governments. Dr. Bhurtel opines that problems can be overcome through strong linkages and coalitions among local bodies and civil society. Former president of the Association of DDCs Madhav Poudel maintains that there is no alternative to decentralisation.

Process

Decentralisation has been thus a process that is on the march in this country. No hinderances will be able to stop it. Individual liking of a party or politician does not matter much. This country has put greater stakes on democracy and decentralisation and is bound to yield fruitful results.

Nepal And HDR 2000

By Mohan K.C.

DESPITE the efforts being made for overall national development over the years, the scenario is yet not one to be encouraged about. The planned development has yielded results in that a clear agenda for development has come forth. But the fact remains that the people’s aspirations have not been fully met. The desires soar specially after the restoration of multi-party polity a decade back.

Poverty

The majority of the Nepalese people live in the rural areas and the those living below the poverty level is estimated to be about 50 per cent. In such a situation, it is but natural for the people to look for help from the government. But the government is also not in a position to do everything it wants to do because of the lack of resources at its disposal.

Though there have been improvements in various sectors it is nothing to gloat about. The main objective of the Fifth Plan is directed towards poverty alleviation. Poverty is the malaise that has to be eliminated. For this various programmes have been devised and even the next fiscal year’s budget has provisions in this direction.

Whatever the critics may say, next year’s budget has room for tackling the problem of poverty. With the focus on the poorest of the poor there are programmes to be launched for families in every district. The self-employment schemes have also been taken into consideration.

It is a reality that jobs for everyone cannot be provided so the best alternative is for the people themselves to be trained in some particular skill so that they can create jobs. Employment is not only for ekeing out a living but goes far beyond it. It means dignity and an ability to assert oneself.

The national scenario as far as human development is concerned is not very bright at present though it would be wrong to say that nothing has been done. The present situation is an outcome of the mismanagement due to political instability between 1994 and 1999. The role the political leaders played then was not the right thing to be done. And has made the country in the state that it is at present. Still now that the country has amajority government there is every reason to be optimistic.

The Human Development Report 2000 (HDR 2000) was made public a little over a week. The report is commissioned by the United Nations Development Programme and is prepared every year. The purpose of the report is to bring to light the actual status of the countries as far as human development is concerned. And the Human Development Index reflects the prosperity of the people and how far the concerned government has succeeded in bringing about a change for the better.

The report is looked forward to because it not only shows the strong points but also the weak ones. It can prove to be a sort of guideline for the government to follow to improve the human development index. The position in the index may not be true to the dot yet it reflects the positive aspects or the deficiencies.

This year’s report does not see Nepal sliding down from its last held position of 144 in 1999 though it was ranked 152nd a year earlier. Nepal still retains its 144th position this year too. Though its rank did not fall, it has not registered any improvement either. This goes on to show that improvement in the human development sector did not come about as it would have been expected.

HDR 2000 has a very dismal picture to produce about Nepal. Compared to most of its South Asian neighbours, Nepal is far behind. Sri Lanka though in a state of war is ranked 84th. This must be of interest to the policy planners and the government. If Sri Lanka has done remarkably well, Nepal must also step up its efforts and there is no reason why it cannot given that sincere commitment and serious efforts are forthcoming from people at all levels.

There can be no denying the HDR revelation that the rich are getting richer while the poor poorer. Striking the right balance or even making the gap smaller has not been possible.

The rich-poor disparity is seen when it is noted that 20 per cent of the rich earn about 50 per cent while the poor have access to only about 8 per cent. The reality is plain and clear. Unless the gap between the rich and poor is reduced the overall prosperity of the country is not possible.

Poverty, illiteracy and lack of awareness among the majority of the people is the reason why the country is ranked so low. Unless steps are taken to tackle the issues on a war footing the country may see itself go further down.

It must come as a surprise that Nepal is a country where men outlive women unlike in the majority of the countries. The life expectancy of a males is 58.1 while that for females it is 57.6. This is proof enough that gender discrimination is a reality. The women in Nepal are discriminated despite the great attempts at going for equality. Women have been empowered in paper but has not been wholly translated into a way of life. Only a few women are in the decision making capacity. And this speaks for the fact that male domination has continued.

Hope

Whatever the weaknesses pointed by HDR 2000, it is time to ponder over it and strategies made accordingly to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Top priority must go to human development. There is a need to streamline people’s access to health and education. These two go a long way in ensuring the welfare of the people. With the report as an eye opener, it is hoped that the days to come will see more improvement in the human development sector.