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By Deepak Joshi Pokhrel

We often say that Nepal will never progress towards prosperity. Likewise, we also say that our country will always remain an underdeveloped country. What led us to utter such words, and what led us to harbour such negative perceptions about our own country? The answer to this question is not very difficult. It is simple: Political interference in public institutions in the process of assigning chiefs to lead them. The latest episode of the appointment of the Vice Chancellor of BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, has exposed how political interference hinders the appointment of a deserving candidate and selects the less-qualified person. The obvious resultant pitfall is the mismanagement and unchecked corruption.

The public institutions in the country have been indiscriminately politicised. The heads and chiefs of the public institution are selected on the basis of their political connections. To say, those who pledge loyalty to their political bigwigs who appoint them are given the coveted position. Look at the recent appointment of Dr Bikram Prasad Shrestha as the Vice Chancellor of BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan.

The BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences had recently announced the call for applications for its vice chancellor. In response, Dr Shrestha and Dr Ramesh Koirala, among others, had also submitted their application. But the result surprised everyone. The highly placed reports say that Dr Shrestha was appointed as he had a close connection with senior Congress leader Krishna Situala. The report also says that the incumbent Foreign Minister, Arju Rana Deuba, was not happy with Dr Ramesh Koirala, Senior Cardiac Consultant and Head of the Cardiovascular Department at Sahid Gangalal National Heart Centre, Basbari, over his anti-Congress remarks on social media. It is said that the Foreign Minister played the role behind the curtain to hinder his appointment.

Everyone says that Dr Ramesh Koirala was a deserving candidate given his substantial experience and qualifications. With his outstanding service and track record, he was an obvious choice. To his utter dismay, he was rejected despite having the required experience and relevant qualifications. In Nepal, one must understand that what generally matters is their political connection and not qualification and experience. This is a simple truth that everyone needs to understand and adhere to. In plain words, the political interference in the process of appointment of heads of public institutions has sent one clear and loud message: one needs to have strong political connections and also needs to butter up the political masters if they desire to lead the public institution. What a pity.

In order to escape the public wrath, the government of the day constituted a selection commission. The selection commission is entrusted with the task of spearheading the selection process. The selection commission invites calls for expression of interest from interested candidates. The candidates are given an opportunity to present their skills, leadership and vision. However, in reality, the candidates to be hand-picked are predetermined. The selection commission is directed not to leave behind the favoured candidate at every stage of evaluation. Finally, a person who has a strong connection with political bigwigs or has already struck a pecuniary deal with the ultimate political master gets the caveat-appointed. This is exactly what had happened in the process of the appointment of the VC of BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences.

This has been an accepted pattern for decades. To say, it has now become an accepted pattern adopted by parties of all hues. There are many who raised the credibility and legitimacy of such a selection commission. They argue that members themselves are hand-picked according to the interests of those in power. To say, the members who pledge loyalty to their political masters are selected. Given the selection commission comprising such members, the prospect of impartiality is compromised right at the outset.

What has also come to notice in recent times is that deserving candidates in terms of qualification and integrity do not even bother to submit their expression. They are mindful of the fact that the selection process is just a hoax, and however qualified he/she may be, he/she is very unlikely to be selected without political patronage. They also know that it is demeaning to their academic credentials when far-less qualified political clowns are ultimately sure to overtake them in getting the appointments.

This scribe is not against the appointment of Dr Raj Kumar Rauniyar. Likewise, this pen pusher is not advocating for Dr Naresh Koirala either. My submission is that one who is qualified in terms of academics and experience should be the top priority of the government. This will send the message that the government prioritises meritocracy over nepotism and favouritism.

What is very disheartening is to note that the competent and qualified people are not taken into account, while those who butter the political master’s ends get coveted appointments. The dejected Dr Koirala tendered his resignation and flew to America, expressing dissatisfaction over the prevailing system. Every year, a large number of skilled, competent and qualified people migrate to other countries in search of better opportunities. The reason is that the government failed to recognise their skills, knowledge and qualifications, compelling them to bid adieu to their homeland.

The political interference in the public institution in the process of appointment is a grave threat to the nation. It hinders the deserving candidate from getting what they deserve. Furthermore, it promotes nepotism, fuelling great disenchantment among competent people. This is plaguing our nation, preventing it from marching towards prosperity. The sooner the politicians and government understand this, the better.