Empowering The Poor

A panel of experts explain the lapses in pro-poor governance

By A CORRESSPONDENT

A group of Nepalese experts, with support from the Enabling State Program of the British governmentís Department of International Development (DFID), has taken a close look at various phenomena that affect the process of governance related to the poor.

In a country with little experience in modern ways of governance, political leaders and policy makers are constantly bombarded with words like good governance, pro-poor governance and bad governance. Scholars, intellectuals and foreigners expected that the restoration of democracy would change the

pattern of governance in Nepal. However, they failed to evaluate the countryís institutional set-up and human capabilities and their influence on governance.

Each political system Nepal has adopted in the last five decades has touched off a similar set of criticisms. A section of the population, who had high expectations from the restoration of multiparty democracy 12 years ago, became frustrated once they felt alienated by the polity. The disaffection of a small group of people has created havoc in governance, victimizing the majority of marginalized and poor Nepalese people.

Amid this debate on how to make governance more effective and directed towards the poor, the ESP took the initiative of assessing pro-poor governance through Nepalese experts.

Under lead consultant Surya Prasad Shrestha, a team comprising political scientists Dhurba Kumar Shrestha and Krishna Hachhethu, journalist Keshab Poudel, civil service expert Dr. Hiramani Ghimire, economists Dr. Sri Ram Poudyal and Dr Bam Dev Gautam and advocates Sapana Pradhan Malla and Surendra Bhandari assessed various sectors of governance. Their study covers such issues as the political system, media and open government, private-sector development, pro-poor policies and resources and provisions of basic services, access to justice and personal security, honest and accountable government, and national security.

Although many studies have been done in the past on poverty and governance, this is the first one based on sectors directly related to pro-poor governance. "It covered a wide range of issues and shortcomings, and the outcome ó this book ó gives a comprehensive understanding of the pro-poor governance situation in Nepal. This information should prove useful for government, civil society, other Nepalese institutions, and donors to help active reforms for pro poor governance," said Michael E. Lowe, program manager, ESP, in his foreword.

As Nepal has been struggling to introduce pro-poor governance in a modern and complex political system that is based on the rule of law, accountability and openness, the study helps to identify the lapses and weaknesses in all spectrums of the government institutions.

The underlying aim is to contribute to eradicating Nepal's widespread poverty. Although a number of studies and critiques on the state of governance in Nepal already existed, none of them focused on pro-poor governance. This one does, and assesses how far the government is concerned with the plight of the poor and how the poor are treated by the government institutions.

Edited by Stephan J Keeling, the book is based on recent available data and interviews with people working in the different fields. Topics ranging from general and local elections, election manifestos, to the role of media and judiciary are discussed. Resource allocations, pro-poor policies and the role of private sector in the pro-poor programs are some of the other important highlights of the book. The book also deals with national security and conflict prevention.

The topics selected for the assessment were linked to development and pro-poor policies. In analyzing the overall situation, the book discusses the weaknesses on the implementation side and the voice of the poor in decision making. The book combines development policies and programs in a way that facilitates broader understanding. The discussions are based on analyses of an array of factors, a methodology that makes for an outstanding contribution to the development debate.

Pro-Poor Governance Assessment Nepal

Published by Enabling State Program (ESP)

Price: Not disclosed

Pages: 252