Federalism is taking root in Nepal with measurable progress in institutional and regulatory environments for federalism, according to a government report.
The Federalism Capacity Needs Assessment (FCNA) – an assessment of Nepal’s capacity needs focusing on the provincial and local governments to implement federalism – is released by Finance Ministry and Federal Affairs Ministry.
The report – conducted by the Georgia State University and Nepal Administrative Staff College in 2018 and 2019 – is led by the government with the support of the World Bank (WB) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The assessment report covers the federal government, seven provincial governments and 115 local governments using informant interviews, desk reviews and questionnaires, and focused on three main elements of capacity: organisational, institutional and regulatory, and physical infrastructure.
“The transition to federalism is profound and requires years to unfold,”finance secretary Dr Rajan Khanal said, addressing the report launching ceremony.
“The report, in this regard, provides an important baseline in Nepal’s federalism implementation and capacity requirements to guide the success of federalism for the benefit of the people of Nepal,” he added.
The report also identifies measurable progress since the adoption of the federal constitution in 2015 with the set up of key institutional structures, strengthening of the regulatory environment and strong initial progress in the adjustment of personnel in all levels of the government. Within the first two years of the operation, provincial and local governments have accounted for about 34 per cent of the national budget significantly boosting their fiscal responsibility, the report reads noting that while initial progress is significant, gaps still exist between the needs and existing capacity at all levels of government to manage new functions. “The assessment calls for a strategic approach to capacity building for federalism, including the need to prioritise measures to strengthen the foundations for intergovernmental and inter-ministerial coordination and monitoring of the implementation of federalism.”
According to federal affairs secretary Yadav Prasad Koirala, the report is a living document. “I will like to highlight the need to implement the most urgent, relevant and feasible recommendations as prescribed by the assessment on a priority basis.”
The report also recommends a roadmap to help improve Nepal’s capacity readiness for federalism. Developed through a consultative process with all stakeholders under the leadership of the government, the roadmap can help deliver on common objectives and improve coherence and coordination among the three levels of the government. The roadmap will not only articulate reform priorities and sequencing of actions, but also help to improve implementation of the reform process for the successful implementation of federalism.”
Likewise, World Bank country manager for Nepal Faris Hadad-Zervos, on the occasion, said that Nepal’s success with federalism will be measured by not only how well the government manages the challenges associated with the transition to federalism but also by the quality of services provided to citizens. “The roadmap recommended by the FCNA can, in effect, add value in the implementation of federalism and help smooth out the transition.”
“Strong institutional arrangement for capacity building at the provincial and local levels is key to supporting Nepal’s transition to federalism,” UNDP Resident Representative AyshanieMedagangoda-Labé said addressing the report launching ceremony. “The findings and recommendations of the report will go a long way in guiding future courses in the implementation of Nepal’s federal form of governance.”
The Federalism Capacity Needs Assessment (FCNA) – an assessment of Nepal’s capacity needs focusing on the provincial and local governments to implement federalism – is released by Finance Ministry and Federal Affairs Ministry.
The report – conducted by the Georgia State University and Nepal Administrative Staff College in 2018 and 2019 – is led by the government with the support of the World Bank (WB) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The assessment report covers the federal government, seven provincial governments and 115 local governments using informant interviews, desk reviews and questionnaires, and focused on three main elements of capacity: organisational, institutional and regulatory, and physical infrastructure.
“The transition to federalism is profound and requires years to unfold,”finance secretary Dr Rajan Khanal said, addressing the report launching ceremony.
“The report, in this regard, provides an important baseline in Nepal’s federalism implementation and capacity requirements to guide the success of federalism for the benefit of the people of Nepal,” he added.
The report also identifies measurable progress since the adoption of the federal constitution in 2015 with the set up of key institutional structures, strengthening of the regulatory environment and strong initial progress in the adjustment of personnel in all levels of the government. Within the first two years of the operation, provincial and local governments have accounted for about 34 per cent of the national budget significantly boosting their fiscal responsibility, the report reads noting that while initial progress is significant, gaps still exist between the needs and existing capacity at all levels of government to manage new functions. “The assessment calls for a strategic approach to capacity building for federalism, including the need to prioritise measures to strengthen the foundations for intergovernmental and inter-ministerial coordination and monitoring of the implementation of federalism.”
According to federal affairs secretary Yadav Prasad Koirala, the report is a living document. “I will like to highlight the need to implement the most urgent, relevant and feasible recommendations as prescribed by the assessment on a priority basis.”
The report also recommends a roadmap to help improve Nepal’s capacity readiness for federalism. Developed through a consultative process with all stakeholders under the leadership of the government, the roadmap can help deliver on common objectives and improve coherence and coordination among the three levels of the government. The roadmap will not only articulate reform priorities and sequencing of actions, but also help to improve implementation of the reform process for the successful implementation of federalism.”
Likewise, World Bank country manager for Nepal Faris Hadad-Zervos, on the occasion, said that Nepal’s success with federalism will be measured by not only how well the government manages the challenges associated with the transition to federalism but also by the quality of services provided to citizens. “The roadmap recommended by the FCNA can, in effect, add value in the implementation of federalism and help smooth out the transition.”
“Strong institutional arrangement for capacity building at the provincial and local levels is key to supporting Nepal’s transition to federalism,” UNDP Resident Representative AyshanieMedagangoda-Labé said addressing the report launching ceremony. “The findings and recommendations of the report will go a long way in guiding future courses in the implementation of Nepal’s federal form of governance.”
No comments:
Post a Comment