NATIONAL8 (Spotlight Weekly]

Development Governance

By Bishwa Keshar Maskay

Publisher: Center for Development and Governance
Price: Rs. 200 (soft cover), Rs. 500 (Hard cover)

On Development Governance

The book explains what governance is all about and what are the roles of different institutions

By KESHAB POUDEL

Good governance, democracy and rule of law are popular slogans in today's society. Many researches and studies have already been conducted on these issues.

At a time when everyone is talking about good governance, Dr. Maskay, professor of Economics at Tribhuwan University, has ushered in a new theme by introducing Development Governance in public debate.

As with the theme, the author also clearly mentions the importance of good governance in the development process. Dr. Maskay stresses the need to be more accountable in carrying out development activities.

"Development Governance in Nepal involves a paradigm shift from the overpowering role of the state governance and development to an alternative vision and strategy," says Dr. Maskay. "It includes both horizontal and vertical actors of society, volving power and authority down to self-help units at grassroots level for the purpose of fulfilling diverse aspirations of people."

To a reader, however, the book presents some confusion as the theme is a very new one.

The book is divided into eight different chapters -- with two devoted to NGO development. The author deals with subjects like development governance, reinventing government, social development in Nepal, sustainable development, corporate governance, NGO and Development, NGOs in Nepal and Agenda for Actions.

Although Dr. Maskay has already written couple of books on good governance, this is a different one in terms of content and analysis.

One of the interesting chapters in the book is on the state of government and poverty alleviation efforts in Nepal. This section discusses decentralization and civil society and other aspects closely related to reinventing government.

One of the major parts of the book is the assessment of the role of NGOs. This chapter provides a powerful overview on the proliferation of NGOs in Nepal in recent years.

Many scholars and authors have assessed the role of governance through theoretical and practical perspective. The time has now come to carry out effective works in the field of decentralization and governance units.

A Study On Local Governance in Nepal

Published by : Nepalese Center for Applied Research Services
Price: Undisclosed

On Local Governance

The book highlights the ongoing process of local governance

By A CORRESPONDENT

Local governance is a vast issue with unlimited areas of study. Although the government has already brought the new act on local governance into force, the confusions remain.

Different organizations are trying to interpret new act and the meaning of decentralization on their own. This is the reason chaos and confusion on the part of its implementation continues. There is no doubt that the mode and system of local governance determines the pace of development but the problem is how can governance be made effective.

With support from Asia Foundation, a team of experts assesses the role of local governance and importance of decentralization in Nepalese context.

Although the study team is said to have visited various places of the country to see the functioning of local governance units, it fails to bring out problems and challenges in the field of governance.

Based on the study report of different districts, the book also reviews local governments of various forms and its role in carrying out different activities.

After their study the team also recommends necessary steps to make the local government units more effective and transparent.