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By Dr Rajendra Bahadur Shrestha

Almost two-thirds majority government of the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) has mostly failed on all counts. More than two and a half years in the government, it has not been able to produce any tangibles people could appreciate and benefit from.

NCP has not been able to unite in spirit and practice in three years as announced to have been completed in three months. No-confidence motion against the chief minister in Karnali Province and likely occurrence of similar incidences in other regions indicate regional governments are not justified and the nation cannot afford it. Likewise at the center, the party and the government has not been able to set aside the differences and work in concurrence as agreed. The root cause is, instead of institutionalizing NCP to function as a party system, the decisions are made by two leaders in ad-hoc manner to suit individual/group interest. Political stability which people trusted NCP to deliver is not happening.

The government so far has largely failed in managing covid-19 pandemic as evidenced by rapidly rising cases and deaths. It has mostly failed to prevent, control and treat covid-19 patients despite early warnings and suggestions from professionals. Nepal is already ranked 32 in the world. The worst is people are dying from hunger, depression, unemployment and lack of contact tracing, testing and treatment.

It was shameful to watch so many Nepali workers returning to India lack of employment opportunity in Nepal, lining up in food kitchen run by civil society instead of the government no remorse and empathy from political leaders and government. Likewise, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are the hardest hit from the pandemic and the government does not have a comprehensive programme to rescue and provide relief to them. As a result, many of them had to either close or operate at minimum capacity. Yet the government claims to have done a good job.

The overall economy is in the worst state with likely growth of GDP at 0. 6 p.c. or less (WB) and rapidly rising poverty levels. There is no plan/programme to revive and expand domestic production, employment, distribution and consumption of basic necessities based on agriculture, forestry, domestic tourism and service sectors where Nepal enjoys comparative advantages. The government is in the brink of financial disaster and cannot meet its operating costs (let alone development) without depending on internal borrowing. The government has not undertaken any austerity measures to curb unnecessary expenses instead of burdening the taxpayers.

Personal, social and border security are in peril with rising cases of rape, deaths, law and order situation, food security, natural disaster etc. Rule of law seems to apply only to ordinary people not the high officials, politicians and privileged.

Foreign policy practices towards our most important neighbours are not balanced and are not conducted in the best interest of Nepal but the vested interest of political leaders. Nepal is losing respect from most of our development partners such as India, China and the US. They question the government’s ability to negotiate, comply and effectively implement projects mutually agreed upon.

Corruption has flourished at all levels of government and is institutionalized. Transparency International report concludes the government as the key initiator. Yet the PM continues with the slogan of zero tolerance to corruption while no action has been taken to the corrupt. Former PM Dr. Baburaam Bhattara’s accusation of bribery of 9 billion rupees (Budhi Gandaki project) by the sitting and two former PMs is the recent addition to a long list of corruption in the country.

The governance at all three levels of governance is very ineffective, not transparent and inefficient. People are not getting the delivery of basic services on time and without hassle. Service delivery at the community levels has remained a slogan only. The root cause of all this is nepotism, politicization, incompetence and unaccountability. Performance-based evaluation does not exist. Non-performers and yes men are being rewarded while the performers are being punished and ignored. Case in point is the repeated appointments in ministerial, ambassadorial, constitutional bodies etc. of non-performers and ‘afno manche”. Yesterday’s long-awaited cabinet reshuffle with almost all the same faces (mostly failed) is a glaring example that the government is not serious about any improvements and course correction but to save its tenure at any cost. Already we can hear the grievances from NCP leaders against PM having his way despite recent understanding.

People are furiously asking “Is this the change we expected from the political leaders and the present system. Are we better off now than before?”. The answer is a resounding no. People are ready to challenge the system and decide for themselves with slogans like “no taxation without participation”. The government was entrusted not to rule but to serve the people. Time to knock some senses. I urge everyone to come forward and make their voices heard in a true democracy. Let wisdom prevail.

The writer is the former president of the NCWA and former member of the high-level taskforce for new foreign policy, MoFA. He can be reached at <rajava.shrestha@gmail.com>

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