Showing posts with label Government. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Government. Show all posts

Monday, December 03, 2012

The NC, Fair Polls And The Game Of Musical Chairs



The NC has been pushing three arguments as to why a NC person should be Prime Minister.

To say the NC alone can conduct fresh elections in the country is outright slander, especially when the current government is willing to give the Home Ministry to the NC.

The second argument is that it is the NC's turn. That is hogwash. Mahantha Thakur's party has never been in power at the top. Perhaps it is his turn.

The third argument is that the NC was promised the premiership of the election government. That is true, but that is only the partial truth. The other big chunk of that truth is that once the NC had agreed to settle on all issues related to the constitution and the country had managed to get a constitution then the NC would be allowed to lead the government that would hold parliamentary elections in the country. But we are not staring at parliamentary elections. We are staring at elections to a new constituent assembly.

This third is the weirdest of all arguments. It is like some guy went shopping. The guy promised the shopkeeper he would give him money if the shopkeeper gave him the bicycle. The shopkeeper promised to give him the bicycle if the guy gave him the money. The guy never gave money, but started arguing the shopkeeper promised him the bike and was now not giving it to him. That is what the NC is doing.

UML ready to lead next govt: Khanal
'I am impatient to relinquish power'
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Thursday, November 22, 2012

Good Move By Ram Baran

English: Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, the President of...
English: Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, the President of Nepal, speaking at Hem Bahadur Malla Honor ceremony 2008. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The president passed the budget ordinance. That was a good move. Now he also has to pass election related ordinances.

NC And UML At Fault
Ram Baran Yadav: Kasturi Mriga
The President, The Prime Minister
NC And UML Do Not Have Veto Power
Dahal's Capitulation Is Wrong

Ready to quit anytime: PM Bhattarai (with video)



एकीकरणपूर्व सर्वपक्षीय भेला गर
झलनाथ खनालसंग-21.11.12

Elections not happening in mid-May: Khanal
New janajati party under Rai’s leadership unveiled
Prez nod to budget ordinance unconstitutional: CPN-M
SC questions prez over delays in approving ordinances
Budget useless: Oppn Madhesi parties
PM Bhattarai calls for consensus
SC issues directive order to govt for local bodies' poll
Mature adults free to live together: SC
NC, UML defectors to launch new party
Bhandari's party to refrain from anti-govt protests
System without federalism unimaginable: Bhandari
Mono-ethnic federal states not possible: Gautam
Manang linked with national road networks
Consensus call from cabinet meeting: FDRA
Leaders pitching for single identity launch new party
Ruling coalition's emergency meet underway in Baluwatar
DPM Shrestha stuns metropolis staff with visit
CA dissolved due to SC verdict: DPM tells UN
SC issues show cause notice against ordinance delay
Prez Yadav endorses budget ordinance forwarded by govt
Govt preparing budget ordinance devoid of new programs
India may emerge as second most competitive manufacturing economy



Dahal roots for national consensus govt under BRB
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Sunday, January 29, 2012

Arthik Kranti

House of Parliament, Kathmandu, NepalImage via WikipediaZee News: Nepal PM announces economic development plans
The list of projects mentioned in the vision paper includes completing Kathmandu-Terai fast track road, starting construction of a second international airport outside Kathmandu, preparing detailed project report for 600 MW Budhi Gandaki hydropower Project and starting construction of the 750 MW West Seti project to ease the country's power shortage within the next fiscal year. ....... The 108-page plan of action has proposed 27 programmes, including restructuring of ministries and bringing regional administration offices under the Prime Minister's Office, to achieve good governance.
Rajnitik kranti. Madhesi kranti. Arthik kranti.

The difference is the economic revolution is going to last three decades.
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Monday, August 03, 2009

Getting Published In Republica: Thoughts On Federalism


andolan5Image by paramendra via Flickr

Thoughts on federalism

PARAMENDRA BHAGAT

Nepal achieved democracy, secularism, a republican setup and federalism in principle faster than most people thought it was possible. Lawlessness still prevails but if all parties were to come together on the issue like they did for the 2006 April Revolution, law and order situation can be improved swiftly. Right now, drafting the constitution feels like a huge task, and it is, but once we have the document, we are going to face the stark reality that the constitution is but a framework—the real work is to bring about an economic revolution that would last for decades. But the work on the constitution comes first and the knottiest issue there is likely to be federalism.

Do we need federalism? Yes, we do. We have already answered that question as a people. Now we have to do the hard work of figuring out what shape and form that federalism will take. There are a lot of people who hold the view that we should not divide the country along ethnic lines. We haven’t done a disservice to humanity by being a separate country. Similarly, ethnic federalism will not weaken our country. In fact, the opposite is true.

andolan3Image by paramendra via Flickr


Neither the CPN-UML nor the Nepali Congress went to the people in April 2008 with maps on how federal Nepal would look like. The Maoists did and the Madhesi parties talked of One Madhes, One Pradesh. But, for the fact that the Maoists at least went to the people with a map, that map can be a good starting point as to the shape of federal Nepal.

I am a Madhesi from Janakpur. It is but natural that I will come to the federalism question from an angle that I feel speaks of the aspirations of my so-far oppressed people. Of all the maps I have seen so far, the one I like the most is the original Maoist map with modifications. You are looking at eight states: Madhes, Tharuwan, Khasan, Magarat, Tamuwan, Tamang, Newa and Kirat. I do understand that the Maoists have modified their map and now talk of about 15 states. I still like the eight-state map better.

As for the Tarai, I believe there are only two options. We can turn all of Tarai either into one state or two states. West of Rapti, we can have Tharuwan. Rapti to Mechi can be Madhes.

But the real knotty issue is not how we divide the states but rather how power will be distributed between the center and the states.

Of course, all the major highways in the country, all the big hydroelectricity projects will still be under the purview of the central government. But the states will have their own parliaments and wield major power.

The distribution of power between the center and the states has to be based on the one person, one vote principle. Because that is the democratic way. A directly-elected president would thus be good, although by now even the Maoists have abandoned the idea. The lower house could be shaped like the constituent assembly now.

andolan4Image by paramendra via Flickr


Too many people from the hitherto ruling classes still fantasize about federalism ending up like King Birendra’s so-called five development regions. Those five regions were unscientific, ad hoc and against the spirit of federalism. Ethnic federalism, taking other issues into consideration, is going to be a good thing that will strengthen our national unity. The Nepali identity will get a new life

Published on 2009-08-03 06:36:49


The article that was submitted:

Federalism: The Final Unresolved Knot
by Paramendra Bhagat

Nepal has achieved secularism, democracy, a republican setup and
federalism in principle faster than most thought possible. Lawlessness
still prevails, but if all parties were to come together on the issue
like they did for the April Revolution 2006, law and order can be
brought about swiftly. Right now the work on the constitution feels
like a huge task, and it is, but once we have the document we are
going to face the reality that the constitution is but a framework,
the real work is to do with delivering an economic revolution for the
country to last decades. But the work on the constitution comes first,
and the knottiest issue there is likely to be federalism.

Do we need federalism? Yes, we do. We have already answered that
question as a people. Now we have to bang heads as to what shape and
form that federalism will take. You don't see too many from the ruling
class and castes arguing for the Desi identity and an assimilation of
Nepal into India or professing a larger lover for all of humanity, and
turning both Nepal and India into far away states of America. But the
same people are nervous that we might end up with ethnic federalism.
We don't do a disservice to humanity by being a separate country.
Ethnic federalism will not similarly weaken the country Nepal. The
opposite will be true.

Neither the UML, nor the Congress went to the people in April 2008
with maps for federalism. The Maoists did, and the Madhesi parties
talked of Ek Madhes, Ek Prades. But for the fact that the Maoists at
least went to the people with a map, that map can be a good starting
point as to the shape of federalism.

I am a Madhesi from Janakpur. It is but natural that I will come to
the federalism question from an angle that I feel speaks to the
aspirations of my so far oppressed people. Of all the maps I have seen
so far, the one I have liked the most is the original Maoist map with
modifications. You are looking at eight states: Madhes, Tharuwan,
Khasan, Magarat, Tamuwan, Tamang, Newa, and Kirat. I do understand the
Maoists have modified their map and now talk of about 15 states. I
still like the eight states map better.

As for the Terai, I believe there are only two options. Either you
turn all of Terai into one state, or you turn all of Terai into two
states, west or Rapti you have Tharuwan, and Rapti to Mechi you have
Madhes. Rapti to Mechi rivers will still be an embodiment of the Ek
Madhes, Ek Prades aspiration.

But the real knotty issue is not how you draw the map for federalism,
but rather how power will be distributed between the center and the
states.

There will of course still be a federal government. All the major
highways in the country, all the big hydroelectricity projects will
still be the purview of the central government. But the states will
have their own parliaments and major power.

The distribution of power between the center and the states has to be
based on the one person one vote principle. Because that is the
democratic way. A directly elected president would thus be a good
idea, although by now even the Maoists have abandoned the idea. The
lower house could be shaped like the constituent assembly now. You
would have half of the first past the post seats in the Terai. And you
would have directly proportional elections for seats to the upper
house. You would have seat reservations for the DaMaJaMa that all
parties would have to obey.

Too many people from the hitherto ruling classes still fantasize about
federalism ending up being like King Birendra's so-called five
development regions. Those five regions were unscientific, ad hoc and
against the spirit of federalism. Ethnic federalism taking other
issues into consideration is going to be a good thing that will
strengthen national unity. The Nepali identity will get a new life.

Federalism will make an economic revolution possible, the next item on
our agenda.

(The writer is a tech entrepreneur based out of NYC -
http://jyoticonnect.net - and regularly blogs about Nepal at
http://demrepubnepal.blogspot.com)

Thanks Republica for publishing.
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Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Is A Consensus Government Possible?


VP Jha For Consensus Govt NepalNews

I know it is desirable, but is it possible? Or is it even desirable?

Prachanda broke the consensus environment by taking a unilateral decision to sack the army chief. And instead of repenting, instead of saying sorry I messed up, he is running up and down the street to say he was right after all.

Maybe the army chief should be sacked. That's not the point. But he totally ignored his coalition partners and went ahead and declared that he has decided to sack the army chief.

Unless he admits to that mistake, how is consensus possible?

22 of the 24 parties in parliament have rallied behind Madhav Nepal. Now it it too late to form a 24 party government. Now the Maoists have to show they are capable of sitting in the opposition.


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Friday, May 15, 2009

Prachanda's Offer To Yadav, Then To Koirala

Sketch portrait of Girija Prasad Koirala, Prim...Image via Wikipedia

MJF: That Other Winner Of The April 2008 Election

I don't blame him, he is being shrewd. He made the offer first to Upendra Yadav, today he has gone on to make the same offer to Koirala. Become PM, we Maoists will support you. He was feeling like all the non-Maoist forces were ganging up on him. This is his attempt to get out of that ditch. He has a sharp strategic mind, sure does.
Koirala asks Dahal to cooperate in govt formation efforts NepalNews Dahal, who is vehemently opposed to UML leadership for the next government, suggested Koirala to take initiatives for a national government. "He [Koirala] played important role in signing the 12-point agreement. We asked him to take initiative for new consensus in the same spirit," Dahal told reporters after the meeting held at Koirala's Maharajgunj residence. Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai, who was present at the meeting, said his party was ready to be part of the new government if it's formed on the basis of national consensus. "But no consensus can evolve by projecting a person or a party [as the leader of new government]," he said, indicating that the Maoist party is not ready to support UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal as the Prime Minister.
MJF lawmakers engage in fist fighting
Khanal calls for 'unity govt' as UML scrambles to secure majority
House stalemate continues
Oli seeks support from Maoists for government formation
MJF stakes claim on govt leadership

An all party government under Prachanda's leadership is not unimaginable, or an all party government under Madhav Nepal's leadership for that matter, or under Upendra Yadav's leadership for that matter, or under Koirala's leadership all over again.

As the leader of the largest party, Prachanda can rightfully claim he deserves it. Formation of a new national consensus government might be less problematic than agreeing on how to govern in the aftermath.

I say form an all party steering committee. For all the major decisions hold full fledged debates and discussions in the parliament. Seek consensus in cabinet decisions.

A national consensus all party government might be the best option. As to who leads is a secondary question.

The Maoists are not too keen on another communist. The TMDP and the SP are not too keen on the Upendra Yadav name. It is the psychology of the powerless.

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Sunday, May 03, 2009

Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal



Madhesi Jana Adhikar Forum, NepalImage via Wikipedia

Jhala Nath Khanal - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It is now time to form a new government that would include all parties except the Maoists. Jhala Nath Khanal would be the right person to lead that government.

This is not a Katuwal issue. This is an issue of the Maoists having lost the confidence of the parliament. The Maoist government no longer has majority support. The MJF has to join forces with the UML, and the Sadbhavana. The NC has to support the new government by joining it. The TMLP has to join the new government.

Rule of law is supreme. How to integrate the two armies? Go to rule of law. How to sack or not sack the army chief? Go to rule of law.

In The News

UML, Sadhawana decide to pull out of govt; UML ministers resign NepalNews
Bhattarai claims army firmly behind govt decision; NC ramps up support for no-confidence motion against govt
President unhappy with govt's sack order to Army chief, starts consultations
OHCHR urges parties to maintain restraint
Demonstrations for and against decision to sack army chief
Govt decides to sack CoAS Katawal; Khadka acting chief; Four coalition partners oppose decision
Katawal 'turns down' sack order

Nepali Sadbhavana Party decides to quit gov't Xinhua



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Friday, April 10, 2009

A Fragile Peace


ICG: Nepal's Faltering Peace Process

We ended the civil war. We ended military rule, absolute monarchy. We had elections. We have a duly elected parliament. Everything feels like is on track. But we have to watch out. Things could still go very wrong. The peace train could get derailed.

Maoist Qualms

It is possible the Maoists think they might be able to get an absolute majority after the next elections. And that hope possibly makes them more at ease with the multi-party idea. But the recent student elections were a setback for them. And it is possible they are deeply uncomfortable at the prospect of losing power after the next elections, or even before that.

The UML Smells Power

It is possible the UML wants to displace the Maoists. They could muster the numbers. This is why I am for a directly elected president. Otherwise you will have parties wanting a new government every few months, every year or two.

NC

I have a feeling the NC will face an even bigger defeat in the next elections than it did last year. The Congress people have made mistake after mistake. They got routed at the polls, but they never accepted defeat. They did not get into power but they acted like the army honchos were with them and not the parties in power. Their score on internal democracy, already bad before, is even worse now. They have absolutely no vision on federalism, or restructuring the army, or on land reform except wanting to instinctively try and fall back to the status quo.

The Army

I don't think the Nepal Army is anywhere close to thinking in terms of a coup, but the top honchos in the army have been acting obstructionist all along. An absolute monarch could not pull a coup. Katuwal stands absolutely no chance, and he knows it. They could not take over, but they could mess up, slow things down, and they have been doing it. It is as if the monarchy has ended everywhere else except in the Nepal Army. Vestiges of the old order, old ways of thinking remain.

Lawlessness In The Terai

The elections did not bring a cure. The Pahadi police force is intentionally detached from the scene. They are unhappy the Madhesi parties won so big. The Maoists have been holding the drama of holding peace talks with small outfits and not the big ones. The elected Madhesi leaders are in the safety of Kathmandu, a little too detached from the ground.

Madhesi Parties

If they can unite, or at least seek common ground on a few basic issues, they could grow some more, but how much more? Unless they acquire national character they will be regional players of the future Terai state, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

Worst Case Scenario: A Return To Civil War

I don't feel the possibility. But we can not fully count it out. What we have to remember is if there is a return to civil war, the second round will be much worse than the first round was. And the first round was bad enough. And that is why all parties concerned have to stay away from that possibility.

Dictatorship: Not An Option

I am sure there are Maoists who daydream of capturing state power the traditional Maoist way. But then there are also NC people who feel somehow we can go back to the 1990s.

Step 1: Bring The Army Under The Parliament, Completely

Trying to deal with the army through cabinet decisions has been a mistake. Instead it should be upto the parliament to hold full blown discussions as to the shape and size of the future Nepal Army.

The starting point has to be that we don't want an army that is 110,000 strong which is what you would get if you stitched the two armies together. So the Maoists can not possibly be serious with their talk of army integration. Also any Maoist who ends up in the army has to meet the physical and other criteria that might apply. You don't end up in the national army by virtue of being a Maoist.

The talk should not be of army integration, the talk has to be of downsizing the army. Maybe we will end up with a national army that is about 3,000 from the Maoist army, about 20,000 from the traditional army, and about 7,000 from elsewhere so as to ensure ethnic and gender diversity. The other 17,000 Maoist soldiers get to be retrained to be turned into health care workers. We need health, we need education. We need health care workers, and teachers, we don't really need a huge army.

Retire The Brigadier Generals

I am for retiring them. Unless you retire them, how are you going to promote new officers? The Rana-Shaha-Thapa brigade sitting atop the Nepal Army is utterly lacking in diversity. They are not the future face of Nepal. But that retirement has to be brought about by due legal process. And if the Supreme Court were to decide against the retirement decision - I hope not - then we will have to wait another day to retire them. Maybe next year. How about next year?

Land Reform

I am also for land reform. But whatever reform proposal is implemented, it has to be passed by the parliament after plentiful debate and discussion.

Step 2: Force All Parties To Make Their Book Keeping Transparent, Public

This is a must. I would like to know how much money the Maoists have.

Who Will Win The Next Elections

I could take a guess, but it is hard to tell. But one thing is pretty sure. We are destined to have a hung parliament for at least a few rounds. No party is big enough to claim a majority of its own. Even if the Maoists were to emerge the largest party after the next election, I expect them to have a smaller comparative size than what they have now. So the winner party will be the one that goes out of the way to work with other parties. And now is when you start doing that. If the Maoists exhibit bad behavior, they can expect isolation. Maybe they don't want isolation. So behave.

In The News

CA by-election conducted at six constituencies, results to be out within three hours NepalNews
PM Dahal confers with President Yadav
Reporters’ Club Chairman Rishi Dhamala freed by Appellate Court
SC issues show cause order against six Maoist leaders including PM for contempt of court
Minor clash in Dhanusha, two injured
Koirala says by-election will give new direction, bring changes in national politics
Indian aid of Rs 90 million for schools and road in 3 districts
NC cadre brutally murdered in Nuwakot
Ex Nepali king trying to restore monarchy
‘Foreign Minister Yadav has violated all diplomatic protocols’
Voting resumes after some disturbances, no violence reported
Exercise has begun for a new PM, says UML GS Pokhrel
PHSC endorses ambassador nominee for 5 countries
Government working towards establishing new industrial areas
Ambassador nominee refutes allegations of leaking information
Hetauda Cloth to get new lease of life
Biratnagar tense following clashes between Unified Maoists and Matrika Yadav led Maoists
Media associations condemn PM’s remark
DoFE launches measures for manpower agencies
Oli for replacing current govt by UML led coalition
UML to allow adjourned House to resume
Unified CPN (Maoist) expels Sujit BK from party
New commerce policy launched; export industries to be promoted
Maoist cadres assault govt lawyer for defending murder case in Surkhet
NA need not boycott games just because PLA is allowed to participate: Home Minister
PLA commanders challenge UML, NC leaders to prove cantonments as safe haven for criminals
PM Dahal says country’s media under the control of feudalists
Maoists form committee to investigate Butwal incident
House deadlock continues as guilty of Thaiba case remains at large
PM Dahal vows to take peace process to 'logical conclusion, intensifies parleys to find consensus
'UML won't quit govt early'
Koirala continues his verbal barrage against Maoists
FNCCI to build hydro projects
PM's foreign affairs advisor seeks action against ambassador nominee
'Bandh' called by left parties brings nation to a halt
Sub-committees submit report to CC
UML to change ministers after by-elections
FM embarks on a week-long visit to China; discusses bilateral issues with TAR chairman
Early start of army integration process a must for peace: Khanal
Three youths found slain in Dhanusha
Maoists trying to establish totalitarian system: Koirala
Former king holds consultations on 'baby king'
'Passport system at Nepal-India border essential to protect national interest'
Maoists, UML present their concepts on future Judiciary system







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