Resolve Differences

MINISTER of Local Development Dev Gurung has pointed out that an all-party mechanism proposed by him at the local level could not be formed or materialise due to intense opposition from the CPN (UML). Despite the fact that the major political parties, including the Nepali Congress, had acceded to the proposal, the obstacles created by the UML, as referred to by Minister Gurung, came on the way of building an all-party consensus mechanism at the local level. As even the Interim Constitution provides a separate chapter for a local body mechanism and mentions about building all-party structures for the districts, municipalities and villages, the dilly dallying on the part of political parties on it is inappropriate. The interim statute puts obligations on the government to grant greater autonomy to the local bodies and make sure that they perform their roles and functions more effectively to meet the political, development and social aspirations of the people.

However, the political parties do not seem to be coming close to resolving their differences and sustaining cohesion with a view to building a representative local mechanism so that the intent of the interim statute with regard to creating competent local bodies is realised. Needless to say, the UML had maintained its dominant position at the local bodies during the previous elections held nearly a decade ago. The party contends that it should be given a larger share of seats and positions in the local bodies on the basis of its previous hold and support base at the local level.The argument advanced by the UML holds some logic, but when it comes to negotiation and settlement some give and take is expected on the part of the political party so that a solution for mutual satisfaction could be arrived at in the new context. The local bodies are being run by the bureaucracy that cannot be held politically accountable to the people, as a result development and governance activities at the local level have suffered. The agitation launched by the VDC secretaries recently has already exposed the problems facing the local bodies. Moreover, the government had gives commitments to form an all-party mechanism to run the local bodies to respond to the demands raised by the VDC officials. The political parties are, thus, obliged to ensure that the interim local bodies are constituted and services relating to governance and development are delivered to the citizens.

Source: The Rising Nepal, September 6, 2007