Reflections on My Tenure at the National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission

1. Introduction

Although I was recommended for the position of member of the National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission (NNRFC) by the Constitutional Council meeting held on Mangsir 30, 2077 B.S., the dissolution of the House of Representatives at that time prevented parliamentary hearings. Due to the extraordinary circumstances and the legal provision for automatic appointment 45 days after the Constitutional Council's recommendation, I was appointed as a member of this commission on Magh 21 by the then President of Nepal, Bidya Devi Bhandari. As the Constitution of Nepal clearly states that the term of a commission member is 6 years or until the age of 65, whichever comes first, I am retiring from my position as a member of the NNRFC effective Baisakh 9, 2083 B.S. due to the age limit.

My total tenure at the commission was 5 years, 2 months, and 19 days. During this period, I served as Acting Chairperson for 1 year and 38 days, and as a member for the remainder. It is my duty and ethical responsibility to inform the public about the key tasks performed during my tenure in public service.

Serving as a member during the first term of the NNRFC, established as the guardian of fiscal federalism, was a historic opportunity for me. While the commission still awaits full staffing, I take pride in the meaningful work accomplished despite various ethical, administrative, legal, and mental obstacles.

2. Accomplishments

Beyond regular duties in natural resources, revenue, fiscal transfers, and internal debt limits, I spearheaded 11 key initiatives to raise public awareness about the commission.

2.1 Capacity Building for Local Governments: I initiated orientation programs for elected representatives, staff, and local journalists across 219 municipalities in 53 districts, reaching approximately 4,434 individuals. These sessions covered federalism, revenue sharing, and natural resource royalties.

2.2 Capacity Building for Commission Staff: I personally initiated training sessions involving 33 experts, providing approximately 66 hours of training on topics ranging from climate change and carbon trading to green hydrogen and disaster management.

2.3 Public Awareness through Articles: I published 42 articles in major national dailies and magazines to educate the public on fiscal federalism and natural resource management. I also contributed to the development of the Grade 11 and 12 Environment Science curriculum.

2.4 Media Outreach: Over the past 5 years, I dedicated approximately 24 hours to television and radio interviews across various national and local media outlets to explain the commission's mandate.

2.5 Training for Journalists: I served as a trainer for 115 journalists in Kathmandu, Dhulikhel, Chitwan, Nepalgunj, and Biratnagar regarding natural resource allocation in fiscal federalism.

2.6 Souvenir Publication: I served as the coordinator for the commission's publication, now titled 'Financial Federalism Mirror' (Bittiye Sanghiyata Darpan), which has compiled 134 articles over 4 editions since 2079 B.S.

2.7 Strategic Planning: I coordinated the NNRFC Strategic Plan (2079/80–2083/84), which is currently under implementation.

2.8 Communication Strategy: I led the development of the Communication and External Outreach Strategy 2079 to improve the commission's public visibility.

2.9 Representation: I represented the commission at various governmental and non-governmental forums, including parliamentary committees, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank.

2.10 Logo Selection: I coordinated the committee tasked with selecting an official logo for the commission.

2.11 Other Coordination Roles: I led various research teams, including those studying royalty potential from water and other natural resources.

3. Future Roadmap

Key recommendations for the future include establishing a permanent, specialized staff structure, conducting post-2084 election orientations for local officials, identifying horizontal and vertical fiscal gaps, and strengthening relationships with academic institutions.

(Gurung is the Acting Chairperson of the National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission.)