‘Delay in devolution of power as per constitution questions federalism’

Janakpurdham, Sept 5: People’s representatives from Madhesh Province have said the federalism was being questioned because the devolution of power as per constitution was denied. During an interactive seminar organized by the secretariat of the national c0rdination council, Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, here Monday, the people’s representatives in Madhesh blamed that federal government failed to devolve power.

The programme was organized to collect information in a bid to take stock of the jurisdiction of the three tiers of government. Chief Minister of Madhesh Province, Saroj Kumar Yadav, pointed out the need to wipe out ambiguity in law so that jurisdiction of all three tiers of government would be clear. He admitted that the ambiguous laws were hindering the development works and service delivery, CM Yadav argued.

“Although governments are to work as per coexistence, cooperation and coordination as stated in constitution, provinces were not devolved the rights, resulting into sheer hindrance on education, health, drinking water supply, and rural development, among others. The existing provisions in the constitution must be broadened and made clear so that people could realize the federalism,” he underscored.

Similarly, Speaker of Madhesh Province, Ramchandra Mandal, viewed expected results could not be delivered because the traditional thoughts and behaviour were not changed as per federal republic. The institutions without rights would not help realize the spirit of movement. “Although it has been eight years we got new constitution, and province and local levels are operative for six years, the rights and resources are not distributed in a just manner, thereby causing disappointment,” he shared the plight.

Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development in the province, Krishna Prasad Yadav, argued there was no point in discussing responsibilities of three tiers of government while the rights guaranteed by the constitution were not devolved. Madhesh Province is suffering worst as it was not allocated adequate resources including budget based on population, and human development index, he argued. Other speakers including Chair of Municipality Association in Madhes Province, Pradip Yadav, viewed the province government was not able to work on its own because it was not handed over rights on finance and security.

He urged the federal government to immediately complete the remaining tasks of administrative federalism to empower province. In response to the questions, Secretary at Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Minister, Krishna Hari Puskar, however, claimed that the federal government was making necessary laws to enable federalism. Earlier, the people’s representatives worked on five different groups to provide feedback to the federal government on devolution of power and enforcement of federalism. Province Secretary Ramkrishna Pudashaini facilitated the event. –