Return of power to the people is the only solution to Nepali problems

Professor Dr. Hari Bansha Jha, Senior Economist, TU

TGQ1:  The NDF meet just concluded. Conflicting claims from the donors and the government regarding the outcome of the meet have confused the non-partisan intellectuals. How do you Professor Jha have assessed the entire affair of the NDF prior to the meet and after?

Dr. Jha: The NDF meet 2004 was entirely different from the previous meet of 2002. This time the meet took place at a time when the political crisis was almost at its peak caused largely by the vacuum created by the absence of legitimate government and parliament on the one hand and the failure of law and order situation in the country on the other. Therefore, though the donors made commitment of US $ 500 million for three years, it was not a significant deal. Besides, the disbursement of this amount also depends on several conditionalities, which in case not met, could hamper the flow of aid. The donors have thus demonstrated that their support cannot be taken for granted, which largely depends on the extent Nepal could restore democratic form of set up and guarantee of law and order situation to the people both in letter and spirit.

TGQ2:   The Thapa government claimed to have achieved about 4% growth of the economy during its tenure. But many people disagree with this claim. How do you take this claim? Also, tell us the real status of our economy under the present national political crisis?

Dr. Jha: The claim by Thapa government to have achieved about 4% rate of economic growth is cooked by certain vested interests. The economy is surviving partly due to the support Nepal gets from foreign aid and partly through the remittances that the country receives from the Nepalese working abroad. Internal revenue mobilization is far less than what it required to be. Under the given scenario, the Finance Minister while presenting the budget of 2003-04 acknowledged that the rate of economic growth of the nation was negative. But within a few months the same minister claimed that it reached 4%. What a miracle? At least I don’t know. No sector of the economy including agriculture, industry, trade and business fared so well during this time.

TGQ3:   The Dalits contribute to the growth of Nepali economy but have remained largely oppressed and neglected. As you have been working of late in this area, tell us what are their problems and government’s efforts, if any, in addressing their pressing issues?

Dr. Jha: It is a fact that the contribution of the Dalits is very important in the national economy, though no study of that sort has ever been conducted. Dalits, in fact, are the most productive community. Their contribution in agriculture and also in industrial sector is significant. But because of the exploitative nature of our economic system, the Dalits have not been given due returns in terms of salary and wages. However, the rise in the economic growth in India (mainly due to green revolution in Hariyana and Punjab) a large number of the Dalits mostly from the Terai migrate there seasonally. Besides, there is a tendency among the Dalits to go to other parts of the world. Also, employment opportunities developed locally have created demand for their services. All this together helped the Dalits to increase their earnings and thereby improve their quality of life. As a result, they are better fed, clothed and educated this time than ever in the past. Intensity of exploitation of Dalits has also reduced. Untouchability problem is also declining. On the whole, a scenario has developed in which the Dalits are comparative in better footing, though there is no room for complacency. Their main problem is the lack of representation in decision-making process at the local and national administrative and political bodies. Recently, the government has made provisions of reservations for the Daltis in social sectors like in education. It has also been thought that the Dalits, apart from the women and Janjatis, should be given representation in administration, which is encouraging.

TGQ4:     Do you Professor Jha, see any improvement in the quality of life of the Dalits in Nepal and could you please tell us if you have any idea that could lessen the problems of the Dalits?

Dr. Jha: We must accept the reality that there has also been an improvement in the quality of life of the Dalits all over Nepal. In this respect, I disagree with many of the academicians and some Dalits who just paint only negative picture about their life. The positive aspect also need to be given due focus. However, I have a feeling that the Dalits should get rid of untouchability among themselves when efforts are being made to remove caste based discrimination i.e. discrimination of the Dalits by the so called upper castes. The Madheshi Dalits have been discriminated by the hill Dalits. Even among the hill Dalits, the Damai, Sarki and Gaine, are largely discriminated by Kamis. Among the Madheshi Dalits, Musahars, Chamars and Tatmas do not take Doms and Halkhors are equals. Such discrimination among the Dalit castes should be eliminated.

TGQ5: Now coming back again to the present crisis that Nepal is facing, how do you professor think we can get out of the present political deadlock?

Dr. Jha: I am not a political scientist to give concrete ideas to resolve the present political deadlock. However, as a layman I have a feeling that the return of power to the people is the only solution to the problem. The modality of returning people’s power right to the people could be evolved. But there cannot be any solution other than this. All over the world, only those countries have fared well and are developed where the PEOPLE are SUPREME. Nepal should learn from this experience and act accordingly.

CURRICULUM VITAE

Date & Place of Birth: May 20, 1953: Janakpur Municipality 11, District Dhanusha, Nepal

Present Status: Executive Director, Centre for Economic and Technical Studies (1989 to date)

Professor, Department of Rural Development, Tribhuvan University, Nepal (2004)

Academic Career:

1982: Ph.D.(Economics), University of Bihar, India on "Resource Mobilization and Economic Development in Nepal during the Plan Period"

1975: M.A. (Economics), Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India

Areas of Expertise

· Providing Consultancy service on Socio-Economic Issues

· Organising Workshops/Seminars on Topical Issues

· Bringing out Publications for Information Dissemination

· Advocacy in favour of Weaker Sections of the Society, including the Dalits(Untouchables) and Children under Difficult Circumstances

Comments from the editor:

Dr. Jha is a distinguished senior economist of the country who has served the country in various capacities. Dr. Jha, an uncontroversial person, is an academician who is widely revered among his professional colleagues who consider him to be the asset of the nation. Sadly enough Dr. Jha's potential have not been taken into proper account by the powers that be even after the restoration of the democratic order.

In the past, DR. Jha worked with several government and international organizations in research fields. He has conducted dozens of research projects in economic, political, health and sanitation issues both at the national and regional levels. Besides, he has published over two dozens of books. One of his books is also published by The Telegraph Weekly. He coordinated a number of national and international Seminars/Workshops related to economic and social issues. He published numerous research articles related to national and international economic issues in leading papers, magazines and Journals in Nepal and abroad. He visited different parts of Nepal, India, Bangladesh and People’s Republic of China (Tibet) in connection with research activities.

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