Decentralisation
Effective Tool For Development

Ram Chandra Pokhrel

DECENTRALISATION implementation and Monitoring Committee in its third meeting concluded recently passed a comprehensive "Decentralisation Implementation Plan" (DIP), a remarkable milestone in the direction of the implementation of Local Self Governance Act, 2055. Local Self-Governance Act (LSGA) published in Nepal Gazette on Dec 30, 1999, is a historic document of a great commitment for decentralisation.

In its beginning LSGA upheld the spirit of Constitution and ensured the utmost participation of the sovereign people in the process of governance by way of decentralisation.

The act has a provision of a high level body—"Decentralisation Implementation and Monitoring Committee" (DIMC) under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister and a working committee chaired by the Minister for Local Development to carry on the decision of the committee. This is yet another commitment to make it a success. Highlighting its status as an "apex body", a joint review on decentralisation in Nepal made by HMGN/Donors’ underlined that DIMC is to supervise, co-ordinate and monitor the decentralisation process as a whole.

Some still ask, "What is DIMC?" But many of them who are aware of it inquire, "What is DIMC doing?" While still others who are concerned about the decentralisation process in Nepal curiously ask, "Why DIMC is not being active?" These are the questions about DIMC and DIMWC we encounter regularly.

To get a more clear picture, we must have to go through LSGA that defines the task of HMG/N which is responsible to "implement policy, co-ordinte and monitor decentralisation through DIMC’. Upon deeper exploration no one can deny the fact that DIMC, which in short is also known as "Monitoring Committee", does not necessarily directly get involved in the implementation process. Rather its main responsibility is to supervise, co-ordinate and monitor the whole process of decentralisation to make it a success in the context of Nepal.

According to the provision made in LSGA, the committee is supreme and independent in the functioning. It has to chalk out its own procedure and action plan conducive to the policy set in the act. Similarly the working committee also can move ahead only after getting the green signal of the apex body.

The third meeting held under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Sher Bdr./Deuba on Jan 8, 2002, made a clear departure from the past by issusing clear directly and guidelines to all concerned for a clear goal. The Prime Minister gave instructions to the government agencies and other stakeholders about a fully committed implementation of decentralisation to work within a fixed time frame and also instructed for bi-montly reviews and progress reports to be submitted to the Prime Minister’s office and the committee’s office accordingly. The working committee as provisioned in the act, has been made responsible for the submission of the bi-monthly progress report.

We should not forget that in its second meeting held on 28 March 2001 under the Chairmanship of the then Prime Minister G.P. Koirala the DIMC had approved working procedures of the committee, and also had taken major decisions for the effective implementation of the act. According to the decisions, the line ministries were instructed to set up sections/divisions at each ministry to move forward with the spirit and action of decentralisation and to assign a focal person responsible for it. As per clause 243, concerned line ministries were instructed to classify the development programs as early as possible as mentioned in the budget speech for the current fiscal year. Moreover, they were instructed to develop a regular review system for decentralisation. Earlier the first meeting of DIMC was held under the chairmanship of the then Prime Minister K.P. Bhattarai at the same venue Singh Durbar with a commitment to develop authority to local bodies’ gradually. The committee, according to the cluase 241 (3) has to submit a report each year to the development committee of the House of Representatives. Naturally this helps enhance the relation of the committee with the parliament. Parliamentarians are the key figures and should know all about the development in the decentralisation process because political commitments have to be finally approved by the members of the parliament.

In this whole process the Ministery of Local Development (MLD) has a major role to play. Besides the role of line ministry, it also has to act as a liaison ministry. LSGA has given it an additional responsibility to be more concerned with the act and its regulations. As mentioned in the act, the Minister for Local Development and MLD secretary are Vice Chairman and member secretary of the committee respectively. Similarly the minister chairs the working committee, and the secretary is the exofficio member in the nine member working committee. Therefore the praise and failure rests on MLD for its action or lack of action related to decentralisation. Though MLD has not been assigned the role of a super ministry, it is obligated to take initiatives to implement the Local Self Governance Act Regulations. Similarly as the role of DIMC gains momentum. MLD will then gradually find itself in an easy position to make its own role effective in this direction. In the process it might be less burdened by DIMC and might perhaps emerge as a whip if it plays its role properly in the field of local self-governance and decentralisation.

After the third meeting of DIMC, an urgent need was felt to initiate the establishment of a full-fledged secretariat of the working committee. The DIP that encompasses the wide-ranging area and covers the whole programme related to LSGA, naturally needs a mechanism for an effective monitoring. To make the supervision and co-ordination effective, the mechanism has to be workable. Since it is the beginning of a process much can be achieved if the job is done properly and sincerely. Therefore it is a high time to take necessary steps properly and prudently.

Despite various lapses, the nation has clearly pinned high hopes on its initiatives in decentralisation at a certain height in South Asia. In the direction of policy making, no doubt, we have achieved a remarkable milestone. Regarding implementation we have to translate our commitment into action. Therefore the implementation plan should be put at the core of our national plan being chalked out as the Tenth Plan.

Population Growth Control Necessary

By Mohan K.C.

POPULATION growth and economic development are intertwined. If the population is greater there naturally arises the need to speed up the pace of development. A rapid rise in population necessitates a more judicious use of the resources at hand for maximum welfare of the people.

Standing at the beginning of the twenty-first century, there are many crucial challenges as far as development and checking population growth rate are concerned. Nepal with a population of over 23 million, according to the latest census, has a greater need to allocate resources as per the requirement. The growth rate has not yat been checked despite the focus and priority that is being given.

It may sound a paradox but it is true that the increasing level of poverty sees a larger family size which is reflected in the census. The population control programmes have been effective only to some extent that is the reason why the fruits of development has not percolated down to the masses in the desired way and coverage.

The problem in the country is mostly the unbalanced development of the different development regions in the country. This is, in fact, the result of bad planning in the past. The idea of five development regions was a major thrust in seeing a balanced development of the whole country as a whole. In fact, the concept was very basic in identifying the genuine problems of the different regions and then devise relevant strategies as per the need. This was also necessary in fixing priorities and the allocation of the necessary budget.

Despite this particular design, the far western development suffered much and which is only at present being given attention. It is all the more important to note that the Himalayan and hilly region suffer the most in terms of the dwindling resources and a higher population growth rate. In fact, according to recent data, the population distribution is 7.3 per cent and 48.5 per cent in the Himalayan and hilly regions respectively. There is another facet that the hilly and the Terai region has an almost equal distribution of population. Despite this particular observation through studies, the population growth rate in the hills is very high as compared to the Himalayan and Terai region.

All this information makes it imperative that any development strategy planned must focus on raising the socio-economic status of all the people in general but particularly of those residing in the hilly region.

The high population growth rate has a great effect on the natural resources infrastructure and services. It is the high fertility rate coupled with poverty, illiteracy and lack of awareness that has seen a high rate of population growth rate. With the way things are moving, it is a challenging task. The efforts of the government is most essential but others too must also make their presence felt in the form of genuine contribution.

Now that the government is having to bear the burden of extra expenditure for security purposes, the development has been affected to some extent. Meanwhile, the state of emergency has given some amount of relief but it will take some more time before the return of normalcy. In many areas, as it has been reported, a sense of relief has come about. The sooner the law and order situation returns to normal the better it is for the country’s development. As such there is every need for the government to see that the population control programmes are not affected. Because in their absence the problem will become magnified in the future and the country will have to face problems in every sector.

Family planning and generating awareness of the benefits of a small family is most necessary before the population growth rate can be checked. The main thing is that education is the key to development and checking population growth rate. hence, it must dawn on all that only by checking population can development in the real sense deliver and the prosperity of the nation assured.

ACAPm Exemplary Model For Self–Reliance

By Yubraj Gautam

HARIMAYA Gurung of Ghandruk does not have any spare time. She is the President of the local Aama Samuha’s (Mother’s Group). Harimay remains busy in conducting the household chores, in greeting and feeding the guests, in maintaining the roads, in entertaining tourists by dancing, etc. She gets up around four in the morning and works till ten at night. This has proved to be a blessing in disguise to many women in that area. They do not have to depend upon anyone for a couple of thousand of rupees The lifestyle of most of the women of Ghandruk, Chomorong, Plandruk, Lumle and the hilly districts of Annapurna region has become exemplary far and wide.

According to social activist of Ghandruk Jagan Gurung, people started becoming aware fourteen years ago after the Annapurna Conservation Project started is activities. The project is called ACAP and till then most of the women in the area were illiterate. Women started joining adult literacy classes and doing productive work after the ACAP opened childcare centres for children whose mother’s were buys. It is worth mentioning the active participation of women in developing the tourism industry in the area.

In the beginning, the men resisted and ridiculd the attempts of women to do some creative work. Later, when they saw the end product, they started helping the women. The area has also been a good example of gender integration.

Fifty five old Lila Kumari Gurung of Komrong mentions that the women collected mony during festivals and lit the village with electricity. At present 15 households of Komrong have electricity from donations. She adds that the village is lit by peltric set in the Mudi river. But, the set has to be taken to Butwal for repair. She further adds that she did not attend school since at those times daughter were hardly sent to school. But, now a young girl of the village conducts adult literacy classes where 10-15 mothers attend classes. Even the Dalit women have started becoming aware.

Tourism entrepreneur of Chomrong, Bhuvaneshwore Gurung confirms the active participation of women in the Annapurna region where yearly approximately 70,000 tourists visit the area. He adds that the women in the area do not have any spare time out this does not mean that they are not happy.

The Annapurna Conservation Area spread over 7,629 sq. kms and includes 56 VDCs within its project area. The project directly and indirectly benefit 1,12,000 people living in the area. There are more than 50,000 women in the area and they play a very important role in tourism and small industry which even amazes the tourists. American student of environmental science Caroline Roy mentions that the women working for environmental protection and tourism the with the support of ACAP is exemplary.

There are about two dozen hotels in Ghandruk which is a prime location to watch the Annapurna Range and the Fishstail Mountain. The hoteliers have allocated a fixed price for loding and fooding so that the tourists do not get cheated. The village which has been an exemple of rural tourism does not have any hoodloums creating scences at night after drinking. Is anyone disturbs the society, the Aama Samuha takes action against them.

According to Project Chief of Annapurns Conservation Area of Ghandruk, Yam Bahadur Gurung they do not disturb the villagers on any issue. The project has from time to time raised awareness on how to coordinate between development and envrionment. Therefore, the villagers do not fell trees without prior consent. Instead they use gas and kerosene which is carried from Pokhara. This area is an example of how development can be achieved without disturbing the environment, culture or the feelings of the local people. Active women in this area complain that women NGOs in the cities are only limited to orgainsing workshops and seminars.

Sevently year old Min Bahadur Gurung is very satisfied with the progress in Ghandruk during the recent years. He adds that even the women have started becoming aware of the importance of education and are developing the village by themselves. People have become more understanding.

According to Prsident of Aama Samuha, Harimaya Gurung, there is a need to increase the electricity power by 50 kilowatts which could help open a bakery, machines for water filter and support small industries. The women of Ghandruk have managed to collect Rs. 8,00,000 by raising Rs. 5 from each household and they feel very proud of it.

Former teacher and social activist Shankar Man Gurung mentions the important role that ACAP has played in environmental protection, education, employment, local development, tourism and gender equality. He adds that the people in the area would be more encouraged if the media and the NGOs working in the cities would highlight their activities.

(Wome’ns Feature Service, Sancharika Samuha)