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Friday 1 June 2007
Thursday 31 May 2007
Enhance Autonomy
Posted by Pinto at 10:30 0 comments
Labels: Development, Government
Wednesday 30 May 2007
Reforms In Education
Posted by Pinto at 10:34 0 comments
Labels: Development, Governance, Government
Nepal-France Relations : Possibilities Of Co-operation
Posted by Pinto at 10:31 0 comments
Labels: Development, Foreign Policy, Tourism, Trade
Water supply: Case for public-private partnership
Posted by Pinto at 10:20 0 comments
Labels: Development, Energy, Environment
Tuesday 29 May 2007
Worries About Water Politics
The plan calls for a 26-kilometer (16-mile) tunnel to deliver the water, with associated access roads, power lines and water treatment facilities. Importantly, the plan also requires a private agency to manage the water supply in the Kathmandu Valley in place of the inefficient and corruption-ridden Nepal Water Supply Corporation.
With contract and funding commitments due to expire early in 2007, the Nepal government last year created an independent water supply board, Kathmandu Valley Drinking Water Limited (KUKL), to hire a private water management company. KUKL received only one bid on its contract, from Severn Trent, one of the ten privatized English water suppliers, and it accepted Severn Trent's $8.5 million, six-year proposal. The company's fee is to be paid directly by the Asian Development Bank. With the original deadline already passed and an emergency extension of the ADB contract set to expire next month, Yami's refusal to approve the Severn Trent contract and the bank's threat to pull all its funding if the deal isn't completed immediately may kill the project.
No doubt those concerns are sincere. But the risk of having the long-planned and vitally important project collapse is so serious that she must have other motives too, ones that are vitally important to her. Cynics suggest that the prospect of renegotiating the contract and perhaps even the whole project, with attending lucrative commissions and kickbacks, is motive enough. Perhaps. But ordinary politics can explain Yami's action.
Whatever her other motivations, Minister Yami is playing power politics at the highest level with the Melamchi project. The move may already be bearing fruit: Shortly after she said that "other options" would become available even if the ADB and Severn Trent pulled out, Koirala approved funds to build 1,000 barracks-style buildings to replace tents in the Maoist cantonments. Revolutionary or not, Minister Yami clearly knows how to play the old game.
Posted by Pinto at 15:26 0 comments
Labels: Development, Government, Politics
Positive Deal
Posted by Pinto at 15:00 0 comments
Labels: Development, Economy, Education
Private Sector And Anti-Corruption Drive
Posted by Pinto at 14:57 0 comments
Labels: Development, Economy
Friday 25 May 2007
Focus On MDGs
Posted by Pinto at 15:34 0 comments
Labels: Development, Social
Corporate social responsibility in Nepal
Posted by Pinto at 15:30 0 comments
Labels: Development, Economy, Social
Hydropower: An Overview
Posted by Pinto at 15:27 0 comments
Labels: Development, Energy, Environment
Wiser course
Posted by Pinto at 15:14 0 comments
Labels: Development
Wednesday 23 May 2007
Participatory Approach In Motivation
Kedar Prasad Bhandari
In human resource management, the participatory approach has been considered an important tool in motivating employees. The participatory approach, also known as participative management, is a process in which the subordinates involve in the decision-making function with their immediate superior. Complex jobsIn the recent decades, there has been a paradigm shift in the management of human resource. In Nepal, participatory approach can be said to have begun with the financial sector reforms in the mid-1980s. Propelled by liberalisation and globalisation, the participatory approach received more prominence in an institutional manner after 1990.
The Local Self-Governance Act can also be taken as an initiative for promoting participatory management at the government level. Today, jobs have become extremely complex. So it is difficult for managers to know everything what their employees do. In fact, participative management empowers the subordinates who know the actual problem and can contribute to make better decisions. Decision-making is not an easy job for managers. They have to win the confidence of all the employees working in their organisations. It is necessary to consult the employees of different inter-dependent departments to bring uniformity in their performance.
This helps develop the concept of team, committee and group meetings to resolve complex problems. Employees do not undermine a decision during implementation as they have been involved in making that decision. Participation provides intrinsic rewards for the employees, and it makes their jobs more interesting and meaningful. Broadly, there are two means of motivating employees through their participation: Quality of Work Life and Self-managed Work Team. Quality of work life is defined as an attempt to develop a formal programme to integrate the employees' needs and well-being with the intention of improving productivity, greater worker empowerment and higher level of job satisfaction. It supports a highly democratic treatment of employees at all levels and encourages them in the decision-making process. Its emphasis is on maintaining a quality working environment for the employees. A quality working environment includes financial incentives, opportunity to develop personal skills and ability, safety working conditions, and the opportunity to participate in problem solving and decision-making.
In essence, there are three means through which Quality of Work Life (QWL) can be improved. The Quality Circle (QC) is a concept first started in Japan in the early 1960s to improve the quality of products. Quality circles consist of work teams composed of 8-10 employees from the same work area who meet regularly to define, analyse and solve quality and work-related problems in their specific area of operation. The membership is strictly voluntary, and meetings are usually held once a week, normally for an hour before or after the job is over.
An organisation may have several Quality Circles operating at a time to deal with different people in different areas. The members are given some form of training in problem solving to work effectively. The Quality Circle is designed to improve the working conditions and enable self-development of the employees. The focus of the Quality Circle is to encourage the employees to accept responsibility for improving quality. The Quality Circle is effective in bringing about a short-term improvement in the quality of work life, but it is less effective in creating more permanent changes. Sharing of ownership by the employees is another emerging concept in participatory management. It is a plan in which the employees are offered ownership of the organisation as a benefit package. This may be done by stimulating them to buy equity shares.
It has become an important tool in motivating the employees.It is believed that if the employees own the shares of an organisation, they would be motivated to work effectively to increase the value of their shares. Similarly, as both owner and employees can participate in meetings, they can put forward their views, ideas, and opinions while making decisions. Business organisations in Nepal are also adopting the concept of employee ownership. Most of the joint stock companies offer 5 per cent of their public issued shares to the employees. Moreover, the concept of a flexible work schedule has developed in the recent years. In this plan, employees are allowed to choose their own arrival and departure times within specified limits fixed by the organisation.
Basically, the work time is divided into two groups: 'core time' and 'flexitime'. During the core time, all the employees must be present in the office, but in flexitime, the employees are free to select their own starting and departure time based on their convenience. Flexitime is popular in the USA. In flexitime, employees may involve in personal works like payment of utility bills, visiting children's schools and banks. This system is helpful in reducing absenteeism, overtime payment, employees' turnover and provides convenience to the employees. Another concept that has emerged in the recent years is Self-managed Work Team. It is also known as self-directed autonomous work groups consisting of 5-15 members. It is a formal group of employees that operates without a manager and is responsible for a complete work process.
All the members of the team are skilled in their own area of profession. The team members are jointly responsible for performing the task. They are responsible for planning and scheduling works, assigning tasks to members, collective control over the pace of work, making operating decisions and taking action on problems.Team members perform their work independently through mutual participation so it provides a higher level of job satisfaction. In such team work, the role of the supervisor decreases and may even be eliminated. It allows sufficient time to the manager to involve in creative managerial functions. Today the Self-managed Work Team concept is popular in most of the business organisations.Participatory approach in new context In fact, participatory approach is based on democratic norms. Given the changed context, Nepalese entrepreneurs and managers should try to include all the employees working in an organisation. The participatory approach should be given focus in the changed context in order to democratise the entire organisational system and accelerate productivity for faster economic development through wider participation.
Posted by Pinto at 17:34 0 comments
Labels: Development, Governance, Inclusive Politics
Tuesday 22 May 2007
Road To Economic Progress
Posted by Pinto at 15:42 0 comments
Labels: Development, Economy, Tourism
Monday 21 May 2007
Nepal-China Trade
The purpose of the parleys is to manage the trade between the two countries as well as to clear up the problems that might arise while carrying out such trade, apart from creating a congenial environment that would be ideal for the enhancement of trade between the two countries. The Chinese government for its part has made it known that the government level discussions desires to further expanding and improving trade between the two neighbouring countries.
However, the governments alone are not able to further boosting the trade, and, as such, the private sector should also be actively involved so that a vibrant trade thrives that would bring in rich dividends for the people of both the countries and contribute substantially to raise the income of their peoples. For this it is found that a mechanism including the representatives of local bodies and trade representatives of the two countries should be made in an attempt to seek resolutions to problems that the traders face in Khasa. Incidentally, Khasa is a commercial hub for Nepal-China trade. Furthermore, the full potential of trade between Nepal and China could be realized if the Chinese investors were to invest in the banking and tourism sector.
China has now emerged as an economic superpower. Nepal stands to benefit were it to attract the investors from China for also such sectors as hydroelectricity that holds immense potential and with which Nepal is endowed aplenty. For the time being, trade between the two countries would be further facilitated if the visa processing for Nepalese businessmen were to be eased. Other measures that could be undertaken are to initiate trade by developing infrastructures for transits adjacent to Nepal and China. Nepal also would appreciate it were the customs duty for Nepalese agricultural products, handicrafts and food grains in the Chinese market were done away with. These are some of the measures that would revive and also contribute to the further enhancing the trade between the two friendly countries.
Source: The Rising Nepal, May 20, 2007
Posted by Pinto at 21:48 0 comments
Labels: China, Development, Economy, Trade
Support Assured
Prime Minister Koirala responded to the chiefs of the mission of the European Union in a very positive light and assured that the date for the polls would be made pubic in concurrence with the Election Commission in a week. The interest shown and support extended by the international community to the cause of democracy and peace in Nepal is constructive as this has been instrumental, among others, to achieving positive outcomes and developments. The international community should also be praised for the co-operation and assistance given to Nepal in addressing the issues arising out of the conflict. Reference must be made to the people�s movement accomplished last year in which the Nepalese people were able to topple authoritarianism.
The support and co-operation of the international community to the cause of democracy and peace and the voice raised against human rights violations contributed significantly in weakening the basis of both authoritarian and totalitarian polities in the country. What has constituted a matter of key significance is the establishment of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human rights in Nepal that has been put at the frontline to monitor abuses of civil and political rights.
Moreover, the countries of the European Union have extended every possible assistance for different development and democratisation projects. Their request for the start of the second phase of the arms verification process is relevant and important. As the eight-party government has been working to arrive at a settlement of outstanding issues, the interest of the international community to extend co-operation to accelerate the momentum of the peace-building process is highly significant and meaningful.
Source: The Rising Nepal, May 20, 2007
Posted by Pinto at 21:45 0 comments
Labels: Democracy, Development, EU, Government
Nepal And Globalisation
The globalisation process in its dodging way is rising on a larger scale each passing year. It is happening so because human needs worldwide remain at the core of its development. Meanwhile, it is also coupled with human inquisitiveness and mobility that have invariably added both speed and momentum in propelling it forward. The process will continue to move onward until some catastrophe of a greater politico-economic dimension puts the brakes over it.
Labour export
Undeniably, the trend has bestowed unprecedented benefits to some of the developing countries, especially huge countries like India and China in recent years. But countries like Nepal are hardly touched by the growing waves of globalisation across various continents. It is true that the ongoing globalisation process too has benefited Nepal in one particular area, i.e., labour export, be it unskilled or semi-skilled.
A recent report of Nepal Rastra Bank tells us that in 2005/6, remittances by Nepali workers in various parts of the world, especially in the Middle East and South East Asia contributed 16.8 per cent to Nepal�s GDP. This figure is the amount received through official channels only. If remittances received through unofficial channels are taken into account, the total contribution will rise to around 25 per cent of GDP. This indicates how Nepal is highly dependent on remittances.
This case of the Nepali people testifies how human needs force people to go abroad to take advantage of the opportunities from globalisation. However, its future is uncertain and cannot be relied on for long.
Seen in the current Nepali context, the globalisation process has yet to touch the Nepali society economically, although some effects can be seen on the cultural life and information technology, which again are concentrated mostly in the urban areas. This again is highly confined to the class of the young and educated people of the cities.
The process has yet to fly beyond the urban areas. This is so because of the political impasse coupled with the less developed socio-economic life now prevailing in the country. Most Nepali people are largely deprived of modern educational opportunities and are indeed suffering from a lack of material and physical facilities.
The truth is that the Nepali society is somehow under minimal effect of the globalisation process that has been thrown upon by universal organisations like the UN and its various agencies and world bodies like the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organisation.
Official globalisation, developing in the aftermath of World War II, and the subsequent global developments in the latter decades of the 20th century are accepted by the world community as being compulsive and supposed to do well for their security, development and social well-being. Alongside this evolutionary trend of the officially embraced globalisation process, other aspects of globalisation in the non-governmental fields of businesses and industrial and service areas have made great leaps forward.
Surprisingly, this development of globalisation have not been able to deliver better things to all countries and regions of the world equitably for sheer lack of physical facilities and absence of stability to impact the economic domain of a country. Until now, there is no global governance on this important matter, nor have the concept and practice of globalism come to the rescue.
The experience of countries which have so far taken great advantages from globalisation shows that for any acceptable and benefit-accruing process to take root in a country, certain positive conditions must be present within its territory and society. Of all the essential things we need, there must be acceptable governance with transparent laws and regulations. Primarily, legal provisions, especially related to property acquisition, management and taxation, need to be put in place. Meanwhile, the judiciary as a guardian and ultimate protector of life and property must be strengthened and respected by society.
Still far more important is the presence of infrastructure - transportation and communication that can make the movements of the people, goods and services easy. A disciplined workforce is also highly warranted for better performance. If these minimal conditions do exist, a positive invasion of globalisation is expected.
Nepal�s integration with the world through economic and trade linkages are still a far cry. The requisite conditions do not exist here because of the political instability and the conspicuous absence of a reliable political leadership. Political wrangling and social unrest have been raising their ugly heads unabatedly. However, in due course of time, if an environment friendly to foreign investment and outsourcing from abroad can be created, globalisation would have a positive impact on the country�s economic condition.
All the political parties with a large following and appreciable influence over the common populace need to make their political stance unambiguous and unequivocal as regards the property and property rights of not only Nepali citizens but also of foreigners. Without fail this must be done with good intention.
Trade and labour unions along with other social organisations have to move on as required for social and labour tranquillity. Work discipline needs to be maintained for their own well-being and harmonious relations between the employers and the employees. Discipline and normal work hold great significance.
Attainment of required skills and abilities by the workers is considered essential for enhancing and improving productivity in the industrial and service sectors. Unquestionably, technical and vocational schools and institutes play useful roles in producing quality manpower in enhancing the economy.
Industrial houses
At a time when liberalisation and privatisation are gaining ground, the industrial houses and business tycoons have a towering role to play in creating a congenial atmosphere for greater economic and trade connectivity. This is the foremost activity that the Nepali business magnets need to carry forward.
Unfortunately, however, they seem less inclined to do so. Initiatives must come from them. Looking up to the highly hobbled government, which is deeply sunk into a political imbroglio, will not liberate Nepal from the economic stagnation and trade deficit now facing the country. Their mindset must undergo a change for better days to come.
Source: The Rising Nepal, May 21, 2007
Posted by Pinto at 21:43 0 comments
Labels: Development, Economy, Globalisation
Focus On Local Bodies
Referring to the evolving context of the country, Minister Gurung remarked that the country had attained peace and normalcy and that the political parties were working to settle several issues through dialogue and negotiation. As the people are heaving a sigh of relief due to the evolving peace in the country, the local bodies should take special note of the incomplete development projects which occurred due to different reasons in the past, and these should be completed without incurring any delays. However, it is worrying to note that the VDC secretaries have not been able to operate in some parts of the Terai as armed groups have intimidated and presented obstacles in their functioning. The government should be serious enough to ensure that the law and order situation is maintained and local bodies are allowed to operate without any disturbances. Moreover, as per a provision in the interim constitution, all the political mechanisms should be established in the local bodies to ensure that local democracy starts functioning smoothly. Unless the local bodies are based on democratic values and deliver services appropriately, it will be difficult to satisfy the aspirations of the people.
Source: The Rising Nepal, May 21, 2007
Posted by Pinto at 21:40 0 comments
Labels: Development, Governance, Government
Road To Economic Progress
What the modern industry needs is better infrastructure. Traditionally, infrastructure services across the world were provided by governments in limited areas like airports, electricity and roads. Today infrastructure must improve in all parameters, which requires immense financing through external and internal channels. Without basic infrastructure development, no sector can achieve any sort of target.
To keep the wheels of the economy running, countries must make enormous progress in attracting private investment in the infrastructure sector, as the government alone cannot invest huge amounts in it. In order to send the right signal to international investors, there is a burgeoning need to create sophisticated infrastructure in selected key cities and projects as seen in Beijing, Shanghai and Kuala Lumpur, which have emerged as the investor's choice in the last three decades.
Infrastructure needs three key inputs - large amounts of money, skilled manpower and selected projects. Governments must realise that the only way to become the nation's doorway to economic zoom is to give new thrust to infrastructure development. Thus, the Essential Facility Doctrine has been recognised by most of the developed and developing countries. Australia, Singapore, South Korea and India have been adopting the doctrine.
Investment requires long-term funds with a long payback profit period. More importantly, Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is a signal to investors in general that the policy framework is sound and environment conducive for investment. Such models have to be initiated in key sectors like roads, airports, power and tourism.
Nepal lacks the necessary physical infrastructure to qualify as an international investment centre. Investments must have easy access, and there should be well-developed infrastructure within acceptable parameters. At present, we must have suitable strategies to convert challenges into opportunities. Better infrastructure helps in alleviating poverty and expanding the industrial base because accessibility to services improves as a result of it.
Currently, GDP's contribution to infrastructure development is less than 4 per cent, which is less than the share of our neighbouring countries. Actions must be accelerated on the following track, to help build trunk infrastructures in the country. First, Modernisation or industrialisation require massive expansion of national highways, airports, electrification and telephones linking every village with the urban areas. Ground water exploration, minor irrigation, water supply and sanitation are other priorities.
Highways form the economic backbone of the country. Likewise, rain water harvesting and human resources management must be developed, which is sorely lacking in the country. Given the size of the country, air travel has become the swiftest mode of transport. Hence, Nepal should take bold steps to expand and upgrade its airport infrastructure.
Second, among the bottlenecks to achieving growth in the country is electricity supply. Power and its allied sector play a crucial role in economic development. Electricity is the lifeline of our lives as its use ranges from mundane applications to complex tasks and operations. Our productivity is affected because of this.
Third, the tourism industry could gather momentum if the government plans innovative promotions. Tourism should introduce new products such as monsoon tourism, helicopter tourism and the like. Such programmes will attract visitors, especially from India and Europe. With Nepal becoming a business hub especially for tourism, regional disparity can be minimised upto a certain extent. Likewise, growth of tourism will help enrich the lives of traditional workers and artistes. Unfortunately, lack of roads, accommodation, safety measures, well established communication systems and hospitality management centres are some of the hurdles in its promotion.
Fourth, building IT Parks in important cities can offer a unique confluence of advantages - robust physical infrastructure, power and data connectivity and trained technical manpower. All this will effectively reduce the operational cost.
Fifth, there is a need to hand over the entire infrastructure development to the private sector with no political interference. There should be no bureaucratic controls over enterprises. They should not be asked to get approval for minor decisions.
Sixth, an act to form an independent Infrastructure Authority, similar to the National Highways Authority in India, Afghanistan, Laos and the Philippines, has to be announced without delay. Meanwhile, a vision paper with priorities and national consensus must be flashed, emphasising on infrastructure development to attract investors and also to make the entire cycle of investment, productivity and wealth creation sustainable.
Seventh, special packages of tax incentives must be introduced as a tool to encouraging private enterprises or an undertaking engaged in the development of infrastructure facilities. This is particularly important for infrastructure developing companies.
Human development
Most importantly, the overall environment needs to be free from prevailing corruption and petty-mindedness. For the common man, good economics is all that he cares. The government should accelerate the process of human development by delivering services in electricity, transport, water and sanitation that the poor need in order to live and participate in economic growth.
A leader of outstanding merits, efficient bureaucrats and a graft-free culture are the invisible infrastructure to race with the modern world. Let us start from a good today to a better tomorrow.
(Shrestha is ex-director of the Department of VAT and a financial management and VAT expert deputed in Tanzania by UNDP)
Source: The Rising Nepal, May 21, 2007
Posted by Pinto at 21:35 0 comments
Labels: Development, Economy
Saturday 19 May 2007
Emerging Role Of Human Resource Management
Posted by Pinto at 12:16 0 comments
Labels: Development, Politics, Social