Bagmati Province Assembly Members Criticize Federal Government for Hindering Federalism

Hetauda. In the meeting of the Bagmati Province Assembly, the members expressed strong dissatisfaction with the federal government. The provincial assembly members accused the central government of being an obstacle to the implementation of federalism and alleged that it is trying to cripple the provincial government.

In the meeting of the Provincial Assembly held on Tuesday, while discussing the policy and program of the provincial government, the members criticized the federal government for not adjusting the police, not bringing the civil service act, and interfering in the budget. Speaking in the meeting, the members commented that even though nine years have passed since the promulgation of the constitution, the federal government has kept the powers in its fist and crippled the provinces.

Criticizing the federal government for its indifference in mentality and transfer of authority, they accused it of treating the province not as a separate government but as an administrative unit or a 'District Development Committee'. The members expressed anger, saying that even after a long time since the implementation of federalism, the center has not stopped tightening its grip.

Speaking in the assembly, NCP member Ganganarayan Shrestha said that although the constitution calls the province a government, the officials and leaders in Singha Durbar cannot see the province as anything more than their administrative unit or branch office. He said that the laws passed by the province are gathering dust in drawers and the federal government has not been able to send police and employees.

According to him, member Anand Kumar Shrestha said that the center has interfered in the allocation of budget and authority. Stating that even plans of 5 lakh and 10 lakh come from Singha Durbar, he questioned the meaning of such federalism. He asked if the ministers of the center would now build the village corners and culverts themselves? He said that the federal government should stop interfering in the affairs of the provinces and local levels, forgetting its jurisdiction.

Regarding the police adjustment and civil service act, member Suna Pariyar said that the Home Minister (Minister of Internal Affairs) in the province is only in name. According to her, the province has neither its own police nor an administration that obeys the province. She said that instead of giving authority, the federal government is playing a game to make the province fail. She asked if we have to always look to the center?

'The federal government itself is questioning the relevance of the province by making us powerless. This is a blatant mockery of democracy and federalism.' He said, 'Are we here to make laws or to implement the directives of the center? The federal government provides neither police nor employees. What kind of federalism is the Singha Durbar trying to practice by not even giving the provincial government the right to recruit its own employees? The responsibility for peace and security lies with the province. But the police are under the center. As long as the province does not have its own administration and police, there is no meaning in the existence or non-existence of the provincial government. The federal government considers the province as just one of its departments.'

Member of Parliament Madukumar Shrestha expressed dissatisfaction over the federal government's reduction in grants to the province. According to him, when it comes to revenue collection, the province and the center take everything, but when it comes to providing budget to the province, they do it like giving alms to the poor? This is not federalism. He said it is just a new form of centralized governance. He said that if Singha Durbar does not mend its ways, they will be forced to take to the streets for their rights.

'We are not asking for rights, we are trying to exercise the rights given by the constitution. If Singha Durbar does not give us our rights, the Bagmati Province Assembly will be forced to take strict action,' he said.