News, Views From Nepal

Federalism: Make It Manageable Yuba Nath Lamsal Nepal is now in the process of transformation from a unitary system to a federal super structure. Federalism is a political structure that distinctly divides authority between the centre and the provincial units. In a unitary state, power is concentrated in the central government, and the central authority delegates certain powers to the lower units in a rather arbitrary manner. Power delegation in a unitary system may not be commensurate with the genuine spirit of decentralisation. Power decentralisation Despite the delegation of authority, the central government often reserves full right to encroach upon the authority delegated to the local units. The real local self-governance, which is in vogue in today’s democratic era, may not be possible in a unitary system. Only a federal system with clear-cut definitions and demarcation of the central government’s authority and the rights of the provincial units can ensure true power decentral...

Yuba Nath Lamsal The international balance of power has changed and is changing constantly. The international of the World War II no longer existed soon after the war was over. It gave rise to Cold War dominated by two rival superpowers. The bi-polar world also came to an end with the collapse of Soviet Union that marked formal end of the Cold War. In the post Cold War era, the United States of America is the only superpower making the world as a unipolar one. This uni-polar world, too, is not going to remain for a long time. The new world order has already started taking its shape. There had been a unique equation of power during the Cold War era, which might not have been natural. Soon after the World War II, ideology was the sole basis of international relations and alliance among states. There was a capitalist bloc under the leadership of the United States and the Soviet Union was the leader of world\'s socialist camp. Some of the countries of the Third World that chose not...

Yuba Nath Lamsal Lately, a fresh and new momentum is picking up against federalism in the country. This initiative came in the name of a joint front comprising leaders of different political parties, journalists, academics and professionals of various sectors. Until a few days ago, people and politicians seemed to be afraid of talking against federalism. This was because all political parties had supported the idea of federalism. Only a single party’ Rastriya Janamorcha Nepal ( National People’s Front Nepal or RJN) led by Chitra Bahadur KC had the courage to remain consistent in its views that federalism was not in the interest of Nepal. This party consistently opposed the idea of federalism right from the beginning, for which the RJN in general and its leader Chitra Bahadur KC in particular deserve special appreciation. Federalism is a vital national issue, which needs thorough national debate on its pros and cons. However, this issue was accepted without the national debate an...

Yuba Nath Lamsal Nepal has already decided to adopt a federal structure. The interim constitution has defined Nepal as a federal democratic republic, which means there is no going back to a unitary state. Most of the political parties are also committed to the federal system. Why federalism? Ever since Nepal was created, it has remained a unitary state. Nepal was created by physically assimilating tiny principalities that had their unique culture, language and system of governance. The unification was a historical necessity. Right after the unification, the approach and policies that the rulers in Kathmandu adopted were based on the strategy of consolidating the newly created unified country. But the later rulers adopted wrong policies that left the many communities and regions in a state of backwardness politically, economically, culturally and linguistically. Although physically unified, some communities did not feel emotionally assimilated. State power was controlled by Kathma...

Yuba Nath Lamsal With the fourth extension of the term of the Constituent Assembly (CA), the political parties have averted an immediate crisis in the country. Now the parties will have more leeway to push and pull in the national politics for another six months. If we are to abide by the verdict of the Supreme Court, the parties must complete all remaining tasks concerning constitution writing and the peace process within the extended life of the CA. Otherwise, the parties should go for a fresh poll or national referendum to decide the next course of our politics. Doubt Despite Supreme Court verdict and parties’ own commitment, there is still doubt over the intention and ability of the parties to give a country a new constitution and conclude the peace process even in the extended period of the Constituent Assembly. This question has come up more frequently ever since the life of the Constituent Assembly was first extended one and a half year ago. The doubt crept into the mind of the ...