SLOPPY PERFORMANCE

The Kathmandu Post

8 June 2018

SLOPPY PERFORMANCE

The Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal is being run by the leftist government led by K.P.Oli since the last three months. This is the most powerful government, may be in the political history of Nepal, enjoying almost two third majority seats in the Parliament. The government has completed so called its honeymoon period of three months with not much concrete things to show to the people besides high promises being made by its ministers. Breaking the syndicate system of transportation entrepreneurs was the only visible action of the government in the past three months. However, the credit for this act should go to the Director General of Transportation Department who was recently transferred to the Labour Ministry.

Not surprisingly, the Oli led government, now joined by SSF-Nepal led by Upendra Yadav, does not get tired of talking about taking the country towards prosperity. It presented the budget for the fiscal year 2074/75 a few days ago, there does not seem to be much room for the common people to expect more and be happy, even it failed to please ruling party lawmakers (“Budget fails to please even ruling party MPs” June 1 , Page 1). Traders have started talking about the essential commodities such as oil, rice and pulses will become dearer in the coming days due to the government’s decision to withdraw VAT system levied under these items. As opined by other vendors, the market price of all the consumable goods will ultimately increase due to increase in price of petroleum products and transportation costs.

Looking closely at the government’s sloppy acts, it seems high on rhetoric and less on focussing on reality and doing work accordingly. Until now, even three months after the formation of parliament and the government, the parliamentary regulations are yet to be approved by the house which is a must for forming the Parliamentary Hearing Committee (PHC). Until PHC is formed, the appointment of crucial constitutional positions cannot take place. The position of chief justice, chief and other members of the CIAA and ambassadors to various countries are yet to be filled and appointed which is the utmost urgency of this government. However, the parliament seems to be completely occupied with the budget discussion and approval for the next two to three weeks which might delay the approval of house rules pushing the constitutional bodies to work without their chiefs, this is a shame for the historically powerful government.

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharajgunj