Thursday, April 25, 2024

Development Finance Institutions commit increment in investments in Nepal

The Second Development Finance Institutions (DFI) Mission, that started on Tuesday in Nepal, concluded today with a commitment to explore investment opportunities in Class B Banks, Micro-Finance Institutions (MFIs), and Digital Financial Service Providers, following productive deal facilitation sessions held during the three-day mission.

During a meeting with finance minister Barsha Man Pun yesterday, DFI representatives received assurance of the government’s commitment to facilitating foreign investments. In this regard, the finance minister highlighted several amendments made earlier this week to laws aimed at simplifying foreign investments.

“The agendas linked to challenges to ease investments by Development Finance Institutions are gradually being addressed by the government, which is a positive sign to mobilise local saving and attract foreign investments," chairman of the Board of the Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging Markets (SIFEM) Jörg Frieden said, adding that the recognition of DFIs as development and economic growth partners by the government is very encouraging for our investments.

The DFI Mission, organised by Invest for Impact Nepal (IIN), was attended by 14 Development Finance Institutions and Impact Investors from the United States, Europe, and the United Kingdom and Multilateral Agencies such as the IFC.

The mission’s primary focus was on accelerating DFI investments in Nepal's financial service industry beyond Class A Banks. During the mission, DFIs delegates also had meetings with the finance secretary Madhu Kumar Marasini and Nepal Rastra Bank’s governor Maha Prasad Adhikari and the deputy governor Bam Bahadur Mishra, to discuss on the execution of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Nepal Government and Development Finance Institutions signed in October 2023 and the issues related to easing entry and exits for DFI investments, respectively.

Representatives of the Nepal Bankers’ Association (NBA) and DFIs also explored opportunities to scale up Nepal’s Financial Service Industry and the role of DFIs to promote sustainable financing.

The First Development Finance Institutions (DFI) Mission in Nepal was held in April 2023.

The Government of Nepal, Finance Ministry and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on October 31, 2023.

The MoU outlines an agreement to enhance the inflow of private capital investment from DFIs into Nepal, the need for transformative investments to achieve UN SDG goals, to foster favourable investment climate, and transfer of technical know-how and knowledge to enhance Nepal’s competitiveness.

Nepal Rastra Bank in its amendment to the Foreign Investment and Foreign Loan Management Bylaws -2080 (February 2024), has recognised DFIs as a category of investors (government/inter-government owned institutions).

The DFI Investments in Nepal from 2008-2023 has amounted to $1.1 billion with the financial sector comprising for 59 per cent of the total.

Remarkably, between 2021 and 2023, the financial sector attracted $629.9 million investments from DFIs.

Attendees of the second DFI Mission included Asian Development Bank (ADB), British International Investment plc (BII), Société Belge d’Investissement pour les Pays en Developpement (BIO), Nederlandse Financierings Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelingslanden nv (FMO), Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging Markets (SIFEM), Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft (DEG), Finnish Fund for Industrial Cooperation (FINNFUND), International Finance Corporation (IFC), US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), MicroVest, DAI Capital, responsibility and Symbiotics, according to a press note issued by the IIN.

Global commodity prices level off, hurting prospects for lower inflation

Global commodity prices are leveling off after a steep descent that played a decisive role in whittling down overall inflation last year, which could make it harder for central banks to cut interest rates quickly, according to the World Bank’s latest Commodity Markets Outlook.

The report also finds that a major outbreak of conflict in the Middle East could halt the inflationary decline that has occurred over the past two years.

Between mid-2022 and mid-2023, global commodity prices plummeted by nearly by 40 per cent. This helped to drive most of the roughly 2-percentage-point reduction in global inflation between 2022 and 2023. Since mid-2023, however, the World Bank’s index of commodity prices has remained essentially unchanged. Assuming no further flare-up in geopolitical tensions, the Bank’s forecasts call for a decline of 3 per cent in global commodity prices in 2024 and 4 per cent in 2025. That pace will do little to subdue inflation that remains above central bank targets in most countries. It will keep commodity prices about 38 per cent higher than they were on average in the five years before the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Global inflation remains undefeated," the World Bank Group’s chief economist and senior vice president Indermit Gill, said, adding, "A key force for disinflation—falling commodity prices—has essentially hit a wall. That means interest rates could remain higher than currently expected this year and next. The world is at a vulnerable moment: a major energy shock could undermine much of the progress in reducing inflation over the past two years.”

Persistently high geopolitical tensions over the past two years have propped up the price of oil and many other critical commodities even as global growth has slowed. The price of Brent crude oil, for example, surged to $91 per barrel earlier this month—nearly $34 per barrel above the 2015-2019 average. The Bank’s forecasts indicate that Brent prices will average $84 per barrel in 2024 before declining to an average of $79 in 2025, assuming no conflict-related supply disruptions. If the conflict in the Middle East were to escalate further, however, oil-supply disruptions could push up global inflation. A moderate conflict-related supply disruption could raise the average Brent price this year to $92 per barrel. A more severe disruption could see oil prices surpass $100 per barrel, raising global inflation in 2024 by nearly one percentage point.

“A striking divergence is emerging between global growth and commodity prices: despite relatively weaker global growth, commodity prices will most likely remain higher in 2024-25 than in the half-decade before the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Ayhan Kose, the World Bank Group’s Deputy Chief Economist and Director of the Prospects Group. “One critical factor behind this divergence relates to heightened geopolitical tensions that are keeping upward pressure on prices of major commodities and stoking risks of sharp price movements. Central banks must remain alert about the inflationary implications of commodity-price spikes amid elevated geopolitical tensions.”

The average price of gold—a popular choice for investors seeking 'safe haven'—is expected to hit a record in 2024 before moderating slightly in 2025. Gold holds a special status among assets, often rising in price during periods of geopolitical and policy uncertainty, including conflicts. Strong demand from several developing-country central banks, along with heightened geopolitical challenges, is expected to bolster gold prices throughout 2024.

An escalation of the conflict in the Middle East could also drive up prices of natural gas, fertilizers, and food, the report notes. The region is a crucial gas supplier—20 per cent of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade transits the Strait of Hormuz. If the LNG supply were interrupted, fertilizer prices would also rise substantially, likely driving up food prices. The Bank’s baseline forecast, however, is for overall food prices to decline somewhat—by 6 per cent in 2024 and 4 per cent in 2025. Fertilizer prices are expected to fall by 22 per cent in 2024 and 6 per cent in 2025.

Accelerating investment in green technologies has bolstered prices of key metals that are critical for the global clean-energy transition. Prices of copper—necessary for electricity-grid infrastructure and electric vehicles—surged to a two-year high this month. They are expected to rise by 5 per cent in 2024 before stabilizing in 2025. Prices of aluminum are forecast to rise by 2 per cent in 2024 and 4 per cent in 2025, bolstered in particular by the production of electric vehicles, solar panels, and other renewable-power infrastructure.

The report also contains a special focus section evaluating the performance of five well-known approaches used to forecast the prices of three key commodities—crude oil, copper, and aluminum. It finds that each of them suffers from certain deficiencies, but each also offers important advantages. As a result, the analysis suggests, forecasts are most accurate when they reflect a variety of analytical approaches—and a healthy dose of judgment.

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Qatar Emir Al Thani wraps up Nepal visit, Nepal-Qatar sign two agreements, six MoUs

Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani concluded his two-day state visit to Nepal and left Kathmandu today afternoon.

President Ram Chandra Poudel and other high-ranking officials saw off Al Thani at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) this afternoon in Kathmandu.

Earlier Nepal and Qatar signed two agreements and six memorandums of understanding (MoUs) following a delegation-level bilateral meeting at The Soaltee Hotel in Kathmandu. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Qatar Amir Al Thani led their respective delegations in the meeting.

According to a press note issued by the Foreign Ministry, the two countries have signed different agreements and MoUs for cooperation in the fields of education, arts and culture, sports, news agencies, diplomatic training and attorney general offices.

Likewise, the private sector organisations of the two countries also signed agreement to further enhance economic relations between the two countries.

Emir Al Thani arrived in Kathmandu yesterday afternoon from Dhaka after wrapping up his state visit to Bangladesh. He held talks with President Ram Chandra Poudel at the Office of the President yesterday evening. 

Later, he attended a state reception organised by President Poudel in the honour of the Qatar Emir and the Qatari delegation.

After the bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal today, Qatar Emir Al Thani attended a luncheon hosted by Prime Minister Dahal.

Nepal has also decided to gift a pair of elephants to the State of Qatar.


Agreements and MoUs signed:

i) MoU for Cooperation in the Fields of Culture and Arts

ii) MoU for Cooperation in the Field of Education, Higher Education and Scientific Research

iii) MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Youth and Sports

iv) MoU on Cooperation between the Office of the Attorney General of Nepal and the Public Prosecution of the State of Qatar

v) MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Diplomatic Training and Education between the Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA), Nepal and the Diplomatic Institute of Qatar

vi) Renewal of the MoU between Qatar Chamber and the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FNCCI)

vii) Agreement on Cooperation and Exchange of News between Rastriya Samachar Samiti of Nepal and Qatar News Agency (QNA)

vii) Agreement on the establishment of Joint Business Council (JBC) between Qatar Chamber and the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FNCCI)

Before signing agreements, Prime Minister Dahal held bilateral talks with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

Taking stock of the existing relations so cordially subsisting between Nepal and Qatar, both leaders discussed about enhancing bilateral cooperation by furthering the avenues of partnerships.

Following the talks, the Prime Minister and Emir witnessed a signing ceremony of bilateral agreements and MoUs. 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has said that there should be an exchange of bilateral assistance between Nepal and Qatar in the best interests of both nations by further consolidating the bilateral ties.

During the bilateral talks, Prime Minister apprised the distinguished guest that Nepal offers ample and appropriate opportunities for investment in agriculture, tourism, and infrastructure sectors.

Stating that Nepali migrant workers in Qatar have served as a tool to further strengthen the friendly relations between Nepal and Qatar, he spoke of the need to deepen such ties in the days to come.

The Prime Minister also called on Qatar to facilitate the safe release of Nepali student Bipin Joshi, who has been missing since the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Affirming that Nepal and Qatar always enjoy a cordial relationship, the Prime Minister said this relationship is founded on cordial friendship, mutual respect, trust, and assistance. "Qatar remains as a reliable friend of Nepal and such relations are getting deeper and extended," he said, adding that these relations are not limited to just an official level but have been expanded to the people-to-people level as well.

Describing Nepal as 'one of the attractive destinations for investment for the globe', Prime Minister Dahal said agriculture, energy, hydropower, infrastructure development, tourism, information and communications technology, service and hospitality sectors are suitable areas for foreign investment in Nepal.

"Nepal is a suitable place for producing organic agricultural products due to its geographical diversity," he said, adding that the Qatari investors would be encouraged to consider investment in this sector since Nepal was a center of attraction in tourism in the world parlance.

Remembering the ascent of the highest mountain in the world Mt Everest by the first Qatari man, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al-Thani in 2013, the Prime Minister said that it helped contribute in the promotion of Nepal's tourism in the world.

On the occasion, PM Dahal requested to include Nepal in the list of Qatar's Tourism Authority's external tourism destination.

PM Dahal urged the Qatari government for operation of flights from Lumbini and Pokhara to Qatar as well.

Stating that there were effective and sufficient air transportation between Kathmandu to Doha, PM Dahal urged the Qatari government to consider operating flights from Lumbini and Pokhara to Doha as well.

Earlier, stakeholders had urged the government to take initiatives for operating direct flight between Bhairahawa and Qatar from Gautam Buddha International Airport during the Qatari Emir's visit to Nepal.

Siddhartha Chamber of Commerce and Industry's president Thakur Kumar Shrestha, requested the government to prioritise the proposal of operating direct flight between Bhairahawa and Qatar.

Likewise, PM Dahal observed that around 400,000 Nepalis migrant workers working in Qatar at present were an important bridge further cementing the bilateral ties between Nepal and Qatar.

"Nepal is going to establish vocational training and skill development center for aspiring Nepali migrant workers to Qatar," he said, urging Qatari government for its assistance in setting up such centre.

Nepal-Qatar Joint Business Council formed

A Joint Business Council between Nepal and Qatar has been established, which includes the private sectors of both the nations.

An agreement was reached between the two chambers today (on Wednesday) for the establishment of a council headed by president of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Chandra Prasad Dhakal and president of Qatar Chamber Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani, in Kathmandu.

The agreement was signed by FNCCI president Chandra Prasad Dhakal and Qatar Chamber president Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani in the presence of Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

The council will work in the areas of business expansion, investment promotion, technology transfer and tourism promotion, according to a press note issued by the FNCCI.

The Joint Business Council will be a permanent mechanism for dialogue with Qatar, a Gulf country experiencing rapid economic growth, the press note reads adding that the purpose of the Joint Business Council is to increase cooperation and understanding between the private sectors of Nepal and Qatar.

The council will play an effective role in attracting investments from Qatar and also expanding trade with the Gulf nation, which is known as a work destination for Nepalis. There is a high demand for agricultural products, water, herbs, spices and spice products in the Gulf countries. As Qatar is an investment destination due to its rapid economic expansion, the Joint Business Council will play an effective role in attracting investments in Nepal. The council will also work in the field of tourism promotion, it adds.

After the establishment of the council, cooperation between the two chambers is expected to further intensify and presidents of both the chambers are of the opinion that it will help in investment and business expansion.

"This agreement will further increase cooperation in the coming days," president of the Qatar Chamber Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani said, after signing the agreement.

Likewise, FNCCI president Chandra Prasad Dhakal said that there will be more initiatives taken through the council to increase cooperation between Nepal and Qatar. "The council will continue to work to benefit Nepal from Qatar's rapid economic development," he said adding that the establishment of the Joint Business Council will help in attracting more investments in hydropower, tourism infrastructure, agro-processing and information and communication technology sectors.

In addition, the agreement between FNCCI and Qatar Chamber has also been renewed. The new agreement was signed by FNCCI president Dhakal and Qatar Chamber president Al Thani.

The agreement was also signed in the presence of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar and prime minister of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

The first agreement between FNCCI and Qatar Chamber was signed in 2005. Since then, the two chambers have been cooperating in various ways for investment and business promotion.

Nepal-Tibet meeting reviews Aid Projects in Nepal

The first meeting of the Aid Projects to Nepal (2024-2028) took place in Lhasa, China’s Tibet Autonomous Region on April 23 and 24.

The first meeting was co-chaired by joint secretary of the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration Kamal Prasad Bhattarai and director general of the Foreign Affairs Office of the China’s Tibet Autonomous Region Baiman Yangzong.

On the occasion, the discussions were focused on the coordination mechanism of aid projects by the Tibet Autonomous Region, China to Nepal in terms of work schedule, selection modality of the projects, and the ways of implementation and monitoring, according to a press note issued by the Nepali consulate in Lhasa.

During the meeting, both sides agreed to hold the meeting of aid projects twice in the first half of the year, so as to focus on the projects arrangements and twice in the second half of the year for the implementation and review of the implemented projects. Furthermore, the two sides underlined the need to enhance the level of support for improving the livelihood of people residing in bordering districts in the Northern Himalayan region of Nepal through the Aid Projects.

On Wednesday, joint secretary at the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration and the head of Nepali Delegation Kamal Prasad Bhattarai paid a courtesy call on executive vice-chairman of the People’s Government of Tibet Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China Chen Yongqi. During the meeting, views were exchanged on matters of mutual interests; including the promotion of socio-economic linkages for further strengthening Nepal-China relations.

The second meeting of the Aid Projects to Nepal will take place on a mutually convenient date in May 2024, the press note reads.

The delegation also visited the Consulate General of Nepal in Lhasa, where Consul General Navaraj Dhakal welcomed and hosted Luncheon in honour of the joint secretary and his delegation. 

The Nepali delegation will visit Ali Prefecture and its vicinity on Thursday. The delegation is scheduled to return Kathmandu on Friday.

The delegation of Nepal included officials from the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General administration, Consulate General of Nepal in Lhasa. Likewise, the Chinese delegation comprised the high-ranking officials of the Foreign Affairs of China’s TAR.

Monday, April 15, 2024

The final breakthrough of the Nagdhunga main tunnel

Much anticipated breakthrough of the Nagdhunga Tunnel finally came true today. However, it will take another one year to finally moving the vehicles through the tunnel.

The excavation of the 2,688 m-long main tunnel was successfully completed, according to a press note issued by the Embassy of Japan in Nepal.

Ambassador of Japan to Nepal Kikuta Yutaka, on the occasion, congratulated all the people concerned, both Japanese and Nepalis, in overcoming so many challenges to reach this momentous milestone stating “You are the pride of country.”

The Nagdhunga Tunnel is the very first mountainous traffic road tunnel in Nepal. Worth Rs 22 billion, three-quarters of which is supported by the government of Japan

with highly concessional loans to Nepal, the construction work is contracted to Japanese engineering companies and they are making every effort for the sake of development of Nepal, the press note reads.

When it is finished after remaining interior work such as lining and connecting equipment, the convenience of traffic will be greatly improved, it reads, adding that it will be extremely significant for the promotion of the local economy as well.

The construction of the tunnel commenced in 2019. Digging a tunnel in the Himalayan mountainous region, which is still growing and has intricate strata, is an unimaginably difficult challenge. “The inside of the evacuation and main tunnels were repeatedly hit by unexpected floods and collapses during the extremely difficult excavation work,” it adds. “Outside the tunnels, heavy rain caused landslides on the slope faces and the Covid-19 pandemic delayed the progress.”

The Japanese teams has been working together with Nepali teams to take on technical challenges in the site, based on their experience in the construction of Sindhuli road, known as BP highway, which was also supported by the Government of Japan.

The project provides a unique opportunity to transfer advanced Japanese skills to young Nepali engineers, the press it would surely benefit the Nepali people in the future. “The Embassy of Japan believes that this project will be instrumental for Nepal in achieving sustainable economic development and further deepening of cordial relationship between Japan and Nepal.”

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Nepal-Switzerland Bilateral Consultations Mechanism discuss development partnership

The fourth meeting of the Nepal-Switzerland Bilateral Consultations Mechanism (BCM) held at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) in Bern, Switzerland today discuss a gamut of issues including development partnership.

Head of the Europe-Americas Division of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal, Joint Secretary Ganesh Prasad Dhakal and Assistant State Secretary for Asia and the Pacific in the FDFA of Switzerland Heinrich Schellenberg led the delegations of their respective countries, according to a press note issued by the Embassy of Nepal in Geneva.

Nepali delegation included ambassador of Nepal to Switzerland Ram Prasad Subedi and the Embassy Officials whereas the Swiss Delegation included officials from the FDFA and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed entire spectrum of Nepal-Switzerland relations including economic ties, development partnership, multilateral cooperation, and contemporary global issues such as climate change and human rights.

The two sides also discussed the exchange of high-level visits, Nepal’s graduation from LDC category, progress made towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and ways to further enhance bilateral cooperation on trade, investment, tourism, science and technology, and vocational training, among others, according to the press note.

On the occasion Joint Secretary Dhakal requested the Swiss side to encourage the participation of their investors in the upcoming Nepal Investment Summit being held in Kathmandu this month.

The Nepali side thanked the Swiss Government for consistently placing Nepal as a priority country for Swiss Development Cooperation. While expressing satisfaction over Nepal’s progress, the Swiss side assured of their continued support to Nepal’s development endeavours.

Following the meeting, the head of the Swiss delegation hosted a luncheon in honour of the visiting Nepali delegation.

Nepal-Switzerland Bilateral Consultations Mechanism was established in 2015 and the next meeting will be held in Kathmandu on mutually convenient dates.

Though, World Bank claims growth rebound, it downgrades Nepal’s GDP growth to 3.3 per cent

Nepal’s economy is expected to grow by 3.3 per cent in the current fiscal year (FY2024), driven by revived tourism and a pickup in hydropower exports, according to the World Bank.

On the demand side, private consumption will drive growth, supported by a substantial increase in remittance inflows, according to the World Bank’s twice-a-year country development update,

However, the World Bank on October 3, 2023 -- six months ago -- has projected Nepal's economy to grow by 3.9 per cent. In six months, the development partner has downgraded Nepal's economic growth to 3.3 per cent from 3.9 per cent.

However, the latest 'Nepal Development Update, Nepal’s Economy on a Recovery Path, but Private Investment Remains Low', projects a further rebound in growth of 4.6 per cent in the next fiscal year 2025. 

The forecast is subject to multiple risks, including a growth slowdown in partner countries, notably India, Gulf countries, and Malaysia which could lead to a drop in remittances and tourism, the report reads, adding that further business environment reforms aimed at attracting more private investment will be needed to support medium-term growth.

“Strengthening the implementation of capital expenditure, boosting business confidence, and strengthening Nepal's international competitiveness are key to stimulating economic growth and reducing poverty,” said World Bank country director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka Faris Hadad-Zervos.

The Nepal Development Update is prepared in parallel with the South Asia Development Update, a twice-a-year World Bank report that examines economic developments and prospects in the South Asia region and analyses policy challenges countries face.

The April 2024 edition titled 'Jobs for Resilience' shows growth in South Asia is again higher than any other emerging markets and developing country region in the world, projected at 6 per cent in 2024 and 6.1 per cent in the next year 2025.

But this strong outlook is deceptive, says the report. For most countries, growth is still below pre-pandemic levels and is reliant on public spending. At the same time, private investment growth has slowed sharply in all South Asian countries, and the region is not creating enough jobs to keep pace with its rapidly increasing working-age population.

“South Asia is failing right now to fully capitalize on its demographic dividend," World Bank chief economist for South Asia Franziska Ohnsorge said, adding that it is a missed opportunity. "If the region employed as large a share of the working-age population as other emerging markets and developing economies, its output could be 16 per cent higher."

The South Asia Development Update recommends a range of policies to spur firm growth and boost employment, including increasing trade openness, improving business climates and institutions, removing financial sector restrictions, improving education, and strengthening legal protection of women’s rights. And these measures would also help lift employment growth and boost productivity, and free up space for public investments in climate adaptation.

Sunday, March 31, 2024

Not only party chief and home minister Rabi Lamichhane, his close aides including labour minister Aryal implicated in cooperative fraud

Its an old case against incumbent Home Minister and Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) chair Rabi Lamichhane of accusations of misappropriating cooperative funds against.

The main opposition party Nepali Congress (NC) has been vehemently opposing his appointment as Home Minister suspecting the investigation could be compromised, due to his position.

But, there seems whole lot of Lamichhane's party comrades are in the soup. More RSP comrades are accused of cooperatives fruad is no coincidence.

Its Lamichhane's close aide and incumbent Labour minister, who is the vice-chair of RSP, Dol Prasad (DP) Aryal, who is now entangled in a cooperative fraud scandal.

During Aryal's tenure as vice-chairman of the 'Hamro Naya Agricultural Co-Operative,' depositors were unable to retrieve more than Rs 40 million, according to a complaint letter they have sent to Department of Cooperatives under the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation.

Last January, the government declared 'Hamro Naya Agricultural Co-Operative' as problematic entity, after it failed to return the depositors' funds.

The complaint filed by the cooperatives's depositors include the names of DP Aryal and Rastriya Swatantra Party's joint general secretary Kabindra Burlakoti, who served as directors of the cooperative, with Surya Gurung, the then chair, when Aryal was vice-chair.

A total of 26 depositors lodged a complaint seeking refunds during Aryal's tenure as vice-chairman, according to the complaint letter.

Despite numerous attempts, the depositors did not receive their money back, forcing them to file a formal complaint with the Department of Cooperatives.

Aryal left the co-operative in 2023 after he introduced Geetendra Bahadur (GB) Rai, a business associate of RSP chair Lamichhane, into the cooperative. Upon transitioning into active politics, Aryal left the cooperative.

However, the cooperatives was in financial trouble during the tenure of Gurung, Aryal and Burlakoti.

"It was DP Aryal who brought GB Rai to the cooperative," one of the directors said, adding that the cooperative faced financial trouble during his tenure."

Surya Gurung stepped down from the board of directors when GB Rai assumed control, as chair. GB Rai is the same person, who is absconding in yet another cooperatives fraud case, which also involved the incumbent home minister Lamichhane.

Sections 104 (1) (a) to (f) of the Cooperative Act, 2074, were invoked when action was taken to address the cooperative’s failure to refund members' savings, in violation of the cooperative rules, regulations and values. As per the recommendation of the Registrar of the Cooperative Department, the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, and Poverty Alleviation declared Hamro Naya Agricultural Co-Operative as problematic under section 104 (2) of the Act. The ministry has referred the matter to the Problematic Cooperative Management Committee, established under Section 105 of the same Act, to manage the cooperative's assets and liabilities.

Actually, declaring problematic is one of the legal loopholes to save the cooperative frauds, according to the director, who didnot want to be named.

According to member secretary of the Problematic Cooperative Management Committee Keshav Prasad Paudel, some 34 individuals had filed complaints regarding the non-repayment of deposits totaling over Rs 40 million. "We have secured and sealed the cooperative's documents for examination," he said, adding that the documents are currently under review. "But most of the confiscated computers donot have harddisk, as it is suspected the Aryal-Gurung-Rai-Burlakoti nexus tried to destroy the proofs of fraud."

When Aryal's team left the cooperative after bringing in GB Rai, the victims filed a complaint with the Department of Cooperatives demanding the return of their deposits.

RSP vice-chair and Labour Minister Aryal had invested Rs 2.3 million Hamro Naya Agricultural Co-operative.

Though, he claims that he voluntarily resigned in 2023, and was not involved in fraud, the cooperative depositors donot buy his argument.

According to the Nepal Police sources, the Central Investigatoin Bureau (CIB), had been investigating the case, but sudden chamge in the government has postponned for the timebeing.

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Government, developments partners agree on harmonisation of disbursement practices

The government and six Multilateral Developments Banks (MDBs) and International Financial Institutions (IFIs)—Agence Française de Développement, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), OPEC Fund for International Development, and the World Bank (WB)—agreed to work together to harmonise disbursement procedures and practices to help enhance operational efficiency and achieve Nepal’s development goals.

The agreement was reached at a two-day ‘MDBs Disbursement Harmonisation Workshop’ organised in Kathmandu on March 25-26 by the MDBs and IFIs, in close partnership with the Finance Ministry.

“Fostering a unified disbursement system among all MDBs will help facilitate allocation of funds, enhance operational efficiency, and ensure timely disbursement of funds to the government to achieve development results,” said finance secretary Dr Krishna Hari Pushkar, on the occasion.

According to a press note issued by the organisers, the government and MDB-IFIs agreed to focus on various future collaborations including harmonisation of flow of funds, reporting, legal and disbursement arrangements for the three-tier structure of government; standardisation of reporting templates across MDB-IFIs’ operations in Nepal to reduce the administrative burden on the government; and strengthening and aligning country system with MDBs-IFIs to the extent possible.

“Unprecedented challenges demand urgent action and the need for harmonisation among the MDB-IFIs," the World Bank vice president and controller Pamela O’Connell said, adding that the World Bank, in its continued efforts to improve operational efficiency and support better development results for its mutual clients, is committed to work with co-financing partners in the area of disbursement harmonisation.

On the occasion, government representatives and MDB-IFIs agreed to carry froward the momentum by way of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the government and MDB-IFIs, which will be prepared and implemented in a phased manner.

The Kathmandu Declaration would be a model to be emulated in other countries, according to the press note.

“To achieve sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction it is imperative that budget allocation is fully utilised," Financial Comptroller General Hari Prasad Mainali said, adding that the government is committed to strengthening reforms to build transparency and accountability of public financial management systems and strengthen service delivery.

The workshop was attended by high-level representatives from the government and MDB-IFIs.

Participants discussed disbursement and implementation-related opportunities and challenges, and the way forward to supporting MDB-IFIs operations in Nepal. In view of the federalism transition, legal and disbursement options available for project implementation at provincial and local levels were also discussed, and international experiences were shared.

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Third Nepal-Germany bilateral consultation mechanism meeting discuss cooperation

The third meeting of Nepal-Germany Bilateral Consultation Mechanism in Kathmandu today took stock of overall state of the bilateral relations and cooperation between Nepal and Germany.

Division Head (Joint Secretary) of the Europe America Division under Foreign Ministry Ganesh Prasad Dhakal and director for Indo-Pacific Policy, South Asia, Afghanistan of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany Erik Kurzweil led their respective delegations to the meeting.

At the outset, the two sides reviewed the overall Nepal-Germany relations and ongoing cooperation, according to a press note issued by the Foreign Ministry. 

Joint Secretary Dhakal appreciated the continued German cooperation to Nepal’s development endeavours, whereas director Kurzweil shared about ongoing development cooperation extended to Nepal under German development assistance.

The two co-chairs stressed the need of continuing interactions, including the exchange of high-level visits, between the two countries. “They underscored the importance of enhancing partnerships in productive sectors, including investment and trade,” it reads, adding that Dhakal briefed about the business-friendly policies adopted by Nepal and requested the German side to encourage their participation in the upcoming third Nepal Investment Summit and explore possibilities of further investments in Nepal.

Matters of regional and global importance were also discussed during the meeting. The two co-chairs agreed to work together on matters of common interest, including climate change, at various multilateral for a. Views were also exchanged to further strengthening cultural relations, enhancing people-to-people contacts and connectivity, among others.

The Nepali delegation comprised of senior officials of the Foreign Ministry; Finance Ministry; Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation; Ministry of Forest and Environment; Ministry of Home Affairs; and Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation.

Likewise, the German delegation included ambassador of Germany to Nepal Dr Thomas Prinz and other officials of the Embassy of Germany.

Nepal-EU joint commission meeting discuss graduation from LDC, GSP

The 15th meeting of the Joint Commission (JC) between Nepal and the European Union (EU) discussed gamut of bilateral issues including graduation from LDC, GSP and investment promotion, in Kathmandu today.

A broad range of issues of mutual interest were discussed during the meeting, according to a press note issued by the Foreign Ministry.

Nepal and the EU are also celebrating the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations this year.

The meeting was co-chaired by foreign secretary Sewa Lamsal and deputy managing director for Asia and the Pacific of the European External Affairs Service of the EU Paola Pampaloni.

The two sides reiterated their commitment to work together in upholding democracy and human rights, promoting good governance, realising Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting investment, and coping against global challenges such as climate change.

The Nepali side, on the occasion, highlighted achievements and bottlenecks in the realisation of SDGs.

Likewise, the EU welcomed Nepal’s transition strategy to graduate from LDC status and expressed their commitment to continue their cooperation through the Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (MIP).

Nepal welcomed the EU’s MIP for the term 2021-2027. The Nepali side also appreciated the MIP for aligning with the plans and priorities of Nepal.

Nepal and the EU also reviewed the progress of EU’s development cooperation in various sectors.

The meeting acknowledged the sub-commission meeting on development cooperation held on March 6.

On regional and multilateral processes, Nepal and the EU also discussed about SAARC and BIMSTEC. The two sides underlined the importance of effective multilateral cooperation.

The EU praised Nepal’s contributions to UN Peacekeeping Operations, the press note reads, adding that Nepal and the EU reaffirmed their commitments to cooperate within the United Nations (UN), World Trade Organisation (WTO), and other global fora to promote effective multilateralism and the rules-based international order. "Human rights including social inclusion were also discussed at the meeting."

The Nepali side reaffirmed its commitment to upholding human rights and concluding transitional justice as soon as possible.

The EU expressed hope on the early conclusion of Nepal’s peace process. 

The two sides unanimously agreed that corruption, including money laundering and financing of terrorism, is a major impediment to sustainable development.

The EU took note of Nepal’s ongoing legislative efforts and underlined the importance of compliance and enforcement, the press note adds.

The EU commended Nepal’s remarkable strides on inclusive participation and women empowerment. Both sides praised the EU flagship action 'Empowered Women, Prosperous Nepal', launched last year by the EU and the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens of Nepal.

The EU commended Nepal for the child grant schemes and encouraged its expansion.

The EU also appreciated the achievements made by Nepal in its socio-economic transformation. The two sides appraised the recent developments in upholding the democratic processes and institutions, and stressed the important role of civil society and media for strengthening democracy and good governance.

"The Nepali side underlined their multiple vulnerabilities of natural disasters, exacerbated by the impacts of climate change, and discussed climate adaptation finance," it reads, adding that the EU complimented Nepal for its position on Climate Change and the ‘Mountain Agenda’ during COP28 and also on its ambitious goal of reaching net zero carbon status by 2045.

"The Nepali side expressed gratitude for the EU's generous assistance following the Jajarkot earthquake, in post-earthquake resilient reconstruction and recovery efforts, and appreciated the cooperative partnership in disaster risk reduction."

The two sides exchanged their views on bilateral trade relations, including the criteria for acceding to the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+).

Nepal, on the occasion, also expressed appreciation for the exchanges under the Erasmus+ programme, and the scholarships offered for Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree programmes, including people-to-people contacts. 

The EU and Nepal underlined that air safety remains a key priority area in their bilateral relations. Nepal assured of addressing all observations of the EU’s assessment visit in September 2023, while the EU will support Nepal in this process. Both sides agreed to follow-up at technical levels.

The next Joint Commission meeting will take place in Brussels next year.

Switzerland-Nepal fact-finding mission concludes unlocking trade opportunities

The Embassy of Switzerland, in collaboration with Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE) and the Nepal Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industries (NSCCI), successfully conducted the second fact-finding mission with a Swiss business delegation's visit to Nepal from March 17 to 20.

The mission aimed to acquaint Swiss companies with the Nepali market and its key stakeholders, according to a press note issued by the Embassy of Switzerland in Nepal.

Participating were esteemed organisations such as Ferring, Roche, Stone Step, and Swiss Re, it reads, adding that the delegation engaged in high-level meetings with notable entities including the Ministry of Health, Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Department of Drug and Administration, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), National Public Health Laboratory, Department of Health Service, development partners, various public and private hospital and offices. “Additionally, the delegation interacted with various private sector companies primarily focused on health, Insurtech and infrastructure development.”

The ambassador of Switzerland to Nepal Dr Danielle Meuwly, highlighted the success of the first fact-finding mission, that took place in November 2022, citing achievements like the air service agreement between Nepal and Switzerland.

She expressed optimism that this second mission will contribute to similar outcomes, supporting Nepal's transition from aid to trade. 

The meaningful discussions held with government officials, experts, development partners, and private companies were well received by the Swiss delegation, significantly enriching their understanding of Nepal’s business sector and identifying potential investment areas.

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Disasters cost Nepal $7 billion in last four decades

Nepal's disaster landscape is impacted by earthquakes, floods, landslides, and droughts, which collectively have caused almost $7 billion in damages from 1980 to 2020. These disasters have affected the country's capacity to build financial resilience in the face of looming disasters., according to a report.

The government has spent Rs 50 billion ($0.4 billion) between 2012 and 2020 in disaster response and recovery. The expenditure data indicates that this is not financially sustainable in the long run, which demands the development of risk transfer solutions. In response to this pressing need, the UN Development Programme Nepal today launched the Insurance and Risk Finance Initiative.

It is part of UNDP's global initiative, the Insurance and Risk Finance Facility (IRFF), which is being implemented in over thirty countries. This initiative seeks to prioritise financial resilience by tapping into the benefits of insurance and risk financing mechanisms.

During the event, the Country Diagnostic Report was jointly unveiled by revenue secretary Dr Ram Prasad Ghimire, chief executive officer of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) Anil Pokhrel and UNDP's resident representative Ayshanie Medagangoda-Labé.

The diagnostic highlighted that Nepal is one of the top ten countries most affected by climate change and is highly vulnerable to floods, landslides, earthquakes, and droughts, according to a press note issued by the UNDP.

The report also showcases that the government is committed to fostering the insurance industry's ability to provide accessible and affordable insurance products, as evidenced by recent legal updates such as the Insurance Act 2079, which contains several microinsurance provisions.

While credit-life microinsurance and agriculture insurance offer financial protection to low-income and vulnerable Nepali households, the overall inclusive insurance market is still lagging due to low awareness about insurance and data gaps that prevent insurance companies from offering products that meet the needs of customers, it adds.

Revenue secretary Dr Ram Prasad Ghimire, on the occasion, reiterated the government's commitment to delivering risk finance solutions, mentioning that the government has already initiated the development of a  Fiscal Risk Management Framework.

Likewise, CEO of NDRRMA Anil Pokharel highlighted the importance of collaboration between government, development partners and the private sector to address increasingly frequent and complex climate and disaster risks. 

“Insurance and risk financing are among the solutions that can contribute to strengthening a comprehensive risk management approach for any country and community,” UNDP resident representative Ayshanie Medagangoda-Labé, on the occasion, said, adding, “We need to tap into the insurance market opportunities, leaving no one behind,”

The Initiative will work closely with government partners such as the Finance Ministry, Nepal Insurance Authority and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority to improve legal and regulatory environment for insurance to be better incorporated in risk management priorities and actions.

It will also work with the insurance industry to identify the financial protection needs of vulnerable groups such as women, farmers and businesses and facilitate the offer of customer-centric insurance products. UNDP will work more broadly with other development actors also pushing for financial resilience to further advocate and make the case for insurance as a key ingredient in managing shocks and fast-tracking recovery.

Sunday, March 17, 2024

Japan and UNDP collaborate to advance Climate Smart Agriculture and build Resilient Communities in Jajarkot

Two types of polyhouses – a naturally ventilated and a nursery polyhouse with misting – were inaugurated by the Government of Japan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in Ward 7 of Nalgad Municipality, Karnali Province.

This area was among those affected by the earthquake in November 2023.

The multi-purpose nursery with misting will grow saplings of high value crops such as vegetables, fruit, forage, and fodder for community members. These polyhouses employ drip irrigation and mist irrigation which make optimum use of water, conserve water usage, decrease labour and increase agricultural productivity. The nursery will directly benefit 25 members of the farmers’ group and other local farmers in the community.

The naturally ventilated polyhouse demonstrates the benefits of climate smart agriculture interventions, enabling off-seasonal high value vegetable production.

In addition to this, the first five, out of 900, metallic improved cooking stoves and 6 orchard management tools were handed over to the local farmers, who are impacted by the earthquakes, to support their livelihood. Through ‘Enhancing Human Security Through Local Climate Action’ project 48 polyhouses have been supported, which will benefit over 40 households.

Addressing the handover event, deputy chief of mission of the Embassy of Japan Takahiro Tamura said, "I expect that the agricultural and energy equipment handed over today will be used for a long time by the people in this region, and I believe that this project will contribute to strengthening human security through a comprehensive approach that includes gender equality, disability, and social inclusion.”

Also expressing his condolences to all those affected by the earthquake, he elaborated, “I am heartened to hear that the capacity built through this project was very helpful during the Jajarkot earthquake response, as the trained volunteers were mobilised and helped to provide first aid, search and rescue and shelter support. Also, I am glad to know that the energy and agriculture support through this project is helping the communities to bounce back for better.”

He added that the project will further strengthen the relationship between Japan and Nepal as well as the friendship between people of the two countries.

Meanwhile, deputy resident representative of UNDP, Julien Chevillard, on the occasion,  said that considering the high vulnerability, Karnali is a priority province of UNDP, and a number of projects ranging from governance to earthquake preparedness and response are being implemented based on the Leave No One Behind principle. 

Thanking the Government of Japan, he added, "Through this partnership, we contribute to Nepal's ongoing efforts to mitigate the impact of climate change, rehabilitate post-earthquake, and enhance the livelihoods of the affected community."

Thanking the Government of Japan and UNDP, Mayor of Nalgad Municipality Dambar Bahadur Rawat, emphasised that agriculture is the primary livelihood for Nalgad residents, and the provision of agricultural equipment support has assisted the affected community in sustaining their livelihoods post-earthquake. "We seek further assistance in the second phase of this programme, which can offer technical and financial support for recovery and livelihood restoration.”

Chair of Barekot Rural Municipality, Bir Bahadur Giri, on the occasion, emphasised that climate change is a global concern, and here in Karnali Province, "we are among the first to feel its effects," he said, adding that it is crucial to empower community and raise awareness about the impacts of climate change, prompting local initiatives to mitigate these effects. "We deeply appreciate the support from the Government of Japan and UNDP during these challenging times and hope for continued collaboration in the future."

In Nepal, Karnali province is among the most remote provinces in Nepal. The Human Development Index (HDI) for Jajarkot District, in Karnali Province, stands at 0.393, falling below the national average of 0.587.

Compounding these issues is the district’s vulnerability to natural hazard induced disasters, particularly floods and landslides induced by rainfall and earthquake posing additional threats to the well-being of its residents.

In October 2022, Karnali Province experienced a severe flood and landslide, resulting in numerous casualties. The impact of climate change is exacerbating the already challenging situation in Jajarkot after the earthquake. Disasters and poverty are mutually reinforcing, thus creating a cycle of vulnerability and disaster.

The joint field visit reaffirms the commitment of the Embassy of Japan and UNDP to fulfilling the Climate Promise, a shared commitment to accelerate climate action and achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.

By investing in projects like this one, Japan and UNDP are working together to build climate-resilient communities and mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change.

The ‘Enhancing Human Security through Local Climate Action (EHSLCA)’ project, funded by the Government of Japan, aims to improve human security through local climate action. The project, from

March 2023 till December 2024, includes key components on energy solutions, adaptive agriculture, infrastructure for risk reduction, instrumentation for improving early warning and capacity building.

Through the project, over 40 community members were trained in search and rescue in the months of September/October 2023 in Nalgad Municipality and Barekot Rural Municipality, right before the earthquake of November 3. 

These trained volunteers provided crucial support in immediate response during the earthquake. Furthermore, the project is leveraged support to the earthquake affected communities – those affected by the Western Nepal Earthquake of November 3, 2023 - through energy solutions for early recovery in Jajarkot and West Rukum Districts.

Climate Promise supports 120 countries – including 40 least developed countries, 28 small island developing states, and 14 high emitters – to enhance their Nationally Determined Contributions under the global Paris Agreement. Delivered in collaboration with a wide variety of partners, it is the world’s largest offer of support for the enhancement of climate pledges.

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Nepal improves ranking in human development index

Nepal's Human Development Index (HDI) value is 0.601 —placing the country in the medium human development category and  —positioning it at 146 out of 193 countries and territories. 

Nepal’s ranking was 149 in 2021, according to United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report. "As compared to 2021, Nepal’s progress on HDI value is 0.010 which is higher than global average of 0.004."

Countries with HDI values between 0.550 and 0.699 fall under the medium human development category.

Between 1990 and 2022, Nepal's HDI value changed from 0.395 to 0.601, representing a change of 52.2 percent. During the same period, Nepal's life expectancy at birth increased by 15.7 years, expected years of schooling by 5.4 years, and mean years of schooling by 2.1 years.

Nepal's GNI per capita changed by about 165.7 per cent between 1990 and 2022, the report adds.

The 2022 female HDI value for Nepal is 0.562, contrasting with 0.635 for males, resulting in a GDI value of 0.885.

Between 1990 and 2022, Nepal's life expectancy at birth changed by 15.7 years, expected years of schooling changed by 5.4 years and mean years of schooling changed by 2.1 years.

The 2022 female HDI value for Nepal is 0.562 in contrast with 0.635 for males, resulting in a GDI value of 0.885.

“Nepal performed progressively in the last 5 decades, yet fall into gridlock at times, particularly following the pandemic– be it related to decent jobs for youths, spatial and social inequalities, economic growth, as well as trust on institutions," UNDP Nepal’s Resident Representative Ayshanie Medagangoda-Labé said, adding that it is fundamental to collaborate not only between three levels of governments, but also with the private sector, civil society, international community, and people at large. "The federal government could focus more on transparency, accountability, and integrity; provincial and local governments can enhance planning and service delivery; Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) could further promote people’s participation and voice to revive hope and trust, and using multilateralism, a proven path that benefit everyone in the society.”

The report argues that advancing international collective action is hindered by an emerging ‘democracy paradox’: while 9 in 10 people worldwide endorse democracy, over half of global survey respondents express support for leaders that may undermine it by bypassing fundamental rules of the democratic process, as per data analysed in the report. "Half of people surveyed worldwide report having no or limited control over their lives, and over two-thirds believe they have little influence on their government’s decisions."

Political polarisation is also a growing concern with global repercussions. Along with a sense of powerlessness, report authors say, it is fuelling inward-turning policy approaches – starkly at odds with the global cooperation needed to address urgent issues like the decarbonisation of our economies, misuse of digital technologies, and conflict. This is particularly alarming in light of 2023's record-breaking temperatures, which emphasise the immediate need for united action to tackle the climate crisis, or in the advent of artificial intelligence as a new and fast-evolving technological frontier with little or no regulatory guard rails.

The report highlights that deglobalisation is neither feasible nor realistic in today’s world and that economic interdependence remains high. It points out that no region is close to self-sufficiency, as all rely on imports from other regions of 25 per cent or more of at least one major type of goods and services.

The report emphasises how global interdependence is being reconfigured and calls for a new generation of global public goods. It proposes four areas for immediate action:

- planetary public goods, for climate stability, as we confront the unprecedented challenges of the Anthropocene;

- digital global public goods, for greater equity in harnessing new technologies for equitable human development;

- new and expanded financial mechanisms, including a novel track in international cooperation that complements humanitarian assistance and traditional development aid to low-income countries; and

- dialling down political polarization through new governance approaches focused on enhancing people's voices in deliberation and tackling misinformation.

In this context, multilateralism plays a fundamental role, the report argues, because bilateral engagements are not able to address the irreducibly planetary nature of the provision of global public goods.

More key data from the report

In 2023, all 38 countries that are members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) achieved higher Human Development Index (HDI) scores compared to their levels in 2019.

Among the 35 least developed countries (LDCs) that experienced a decline in their HDI in 2020 and/or 2021, more than half (18 countries) have not yet recovered to their human development levels of 2019.

All developing regions have not met their anticipated HDI levels based on the trend before 2019. It appears they have shifted to a lower HDI trajectory, indicating potential permanent setbacks in future human development progress.

The impact of human development losses is in sharp focus in Afghanistan and Ukraine.

Afghanistan’s HDI has been knocked back by a staggering ten years, while Ukraine’s HDI dropped to its lowest level since 2004.

The report cites research indicating that countries with populist governments have lower GDP- growth rates. Fifteen years after a populist government assumes office, the GDP per capita is found to be 10 percent lower than it might under a non-populist government scenario.

Rich countries attain record human development, but half of the poorest have gone backwards

Uneven development progress is leaving the poorest behind, exacerbating inequality, and stoking political polarisation on a global scale. The result is a dangerous gridlock that must be urgently tackled through collective action, according to a new report released today by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The 2023-24 Human Development Report (HDR), titled 'Breaking the Gridlock: Reimagining cooperation in a polarised world', reveals a troubling trend: the rebound in the global Human Development Index (HDI) – a summary measure reflecting a country’s Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, education, and life expectancy – has been partial, incomplete, and unequal.

The HDI is projected to reach record highs in 2023 after steep declines during 2020 and 2021. But this progress is deeply uneven. Rich countries are experiencing record-high levels of human development while half of the world’s poorest countries remain below their pre-crisis level of progress.

Global inequalities are compounded by substantial economic concentration. As referenced in the report, almost 40 per cent of global trade in goods is concentrated in three or fewer countries; and in 2021 the market capitalisation of each of the three largest tech companies in the world surpassed the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of more than 90 per cent of countries that year.

“The widening human development gap revealed by the report shows that the two-decade trend of steadily reducing inequalities between wealthy and poor nations is now in reverse," head of the UN Development Programme Achim Steiner said, "Despite our deeply interconnected global societies, we are falling short. We must leverage our interdependence as well as our capacities to address our shared and existential challenges and ensure people’s aspirations are met."

“This gridlock carries a significant human toll, he said, adding that the failure of collective action to advance action on climate change, digitalisation or poverty and inequality not only hinders human development but also worsens polarisation and further erodes trust in people and institutions worldwide.

The report argues that advancing international collective action is hindered by an emerging ‘democracy paradox’: while 9 in 10 people worldwide endorse democracy, over half of global survey respondents express support for leaders that may undermine it by bypassing fundamental rules of the democratic process, as per data analysed in the report. Half of people surveyed worldwide report having no or limited control over their lives, and over two-thirds believe they have little influence on their government’s decisions.

Political polarisation is also a growing concern with global repercussions. Along with a sense of powerlessness, report authors say, it is fuelling inward-turning policy approaches – starkly at odds with the global cooperation needed to address urgent issues like the decarbonisation of our economies, misuse of digital technologies, and conflict. This is particularly alarming in light of 2023's record-breaking temperatures, which emphasise the immediate need for united action to tackle the climate crisis, or in the advent of artificial intelligence as a new and fast-evolving technological frontier with little or no regulatory guard rails.

The report highlights that deglobalisation is neither feasible nor realistic in today’s world and that economic interdependence remains high. It points out that no region is close to self-sufficiency, as all rely on imports from other regions of 25 per cent or more of at least one major type of goods and services.

"In a world marked by increasing polarization and division, neglecting to invest in each other poses a serious threat to our wellbeing and security," Steiner said, adding that protectionist approaches cannot address the complex, interconnected challenges we face, including pandemic prevention, climate change, and digital regulation. "Our problems are intertwined, requiring equally interconnected solutions. By adopting an opportunity-driven agenda that emphasises the benefits of the energy transition and of artificial intelligence for human development, we have a chance to break through the current deadlock and reignite a commitment to a shared future."

The report emphasises how global interdependence is being reconfigured and calls for a new generation of global public goods. It proposes four areas for immediate action:

- planetary public goods, for climate stability, as we confront the unprecedented challenges of the Anthropocene;

- digital global public goods, for greater equity in harnessing new technologies for equitable human development;

- new and expanded financial mechanisms, including a novel track in international cooperation that complements humanitarian assistance and traditional development aid to low-income countries; and

- dialling down political polarisation through new governance approaches focused on enhancing people's voices in deliberation and tackling misinformation.

In this context, multilateralism plays a fundamental role, the report argues, because bilateral engagements are not able to address the irreducibly planetary nature of the provision of global public goods.

Monday, March 11, 2024

कति लामो होला गठबन्धनको आयु ?

काठमाडौं । गत बुधबार एक कार्यक्रममा पूर्वप्रधानमन्त्री एवं नेपाल समाजवादी पार्टीका अध्यक्ष डा. बाबुराम भट्टराईले प्रधानमन्त्री एवं नेकपा (माओवादी केन्द्र) का अध्यक्ष पुष्पकमल दाहालप्रति लक्षित गर्दै व्यवस्था जोगाउने जिम्मेवारी लिएकाहरुबाटै अहिलेको व्यवस्थामाथि संकट रहेको बताए ।

भट्टराई प्रचण्डसँगै कुनै समय नेपालीको अवस्था परिवर्तन गर्न ब्यवस्था नै परिवर्तन गर्नुपर्छ भन्दै शसस्त्र द्वन्द्वमा होमिएका पात्र हुन् ।

तर, भट्टराईले विगतमा देशमा संघीय लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्रात्मक व्यवस्था ल्याउन क्रान्ति गर्नेहरुबाटै अहिले गणतन्त्रात्मक शासनलाई सक्ने काम भइरहेको भाषण गर्दा प्रचण्ड भने आफ्नो बालुवाटार बसाई लम्ब्याउन विभिन्न राजनीतिक दलहरुसँग मोलभाउ गर्दै थिए ।

जति लम्ब्याए पनि प्रचण्डको बालुवाटार बसाई संभवतः यो अन्तिम पटक हुनसक्छ ।

किनकि उनकै सहयोद्धा, क्रान्तिको नेतृत्व गरेकाहरु नै सरकारमा रहँदा पनि विकास हुन नसकेको भन्दै दोषारोपण गर्दै छन् । क्रान्तिको नेतृत्व गरेकाहरुको निकम्मापन, भ्रष्टीकरण, परिवारवाद र नांगो प्रकारको राज्यको दोहनले गर्दा जनतामा वितृष्णा उत्पन्न भएको भट्टराईको आरोप छ ।

डा भट्टराई यति मै रोकिन्नन् । उनले अहिले अस्थिरता सिर्जना गरेर व्यवस्थालाई नै धराशायी बनाउने काम भइरहेको आरोप पनि लगाउँछन्, प्रचण्डलाई ।

प्रधानमन्त्री प्रचण्डले नयाँ गठबन्धनलाई बृहत् वाम एकताको पहलको रूपमा ब्याख्या गर्दै गर्दा उनकै सहयात्री भट्टराईले आरोप लगाए झैं के नयाँ गठबन्धनले अस्थिरता सिर्जना गरेको हो त ?

अनि के के छन् त गठबन्धनका चुनौती ?

नेपाली कांग्रेस र माओवादीबीचको १५ महिना पुरानो गठबन्धन तोड्दै प्रचण्डले फागुन २१ गते सोमबार नयाँ गठबन्धनको घोषणा गरे । गठबन्धन तोड्नु पर्ने एउटा प्रमुख कारण कांग्रेससँग काम गर्न अप्ठयारो भएको उनको तर्क थियो ।

तर, के नयाँ सत्ता साझेदार नेकपा एमालेसँग काम गर्न सहज हुन्छ त, प्रचण्डलाई ?

नयाँ गठबन्धनमा साझेदार नेकपा एमालेका अध्यक्ष तथा पूर्वप्रधानमन्त्री केपी शर्मा ओलीसँगको प्रचण्डको सत्ता साझेदारी यो पहिलो पटक होइन । तर, यस पटक भूमिका फरक छ । अघिल्लो पटक ओली प्रधानमन्त्री थिए, यस पटक प्रचण्ड प्रधानमन्त्री छन् ।

जसरी पूर्वप्रधानमन्त्री भट्टराईलाई प्रचण्डको आनीबानी सबै थाहा छ । त्यसैगरि, पूर्वप्रधानमन्त्री ओलीलाई पनि प्रचण्डको आनीबानी थाहा छ ।

किनकि २०७५ जेठ ३ गते वामपन्थी दल एकीकरणका नाममा एक भएका यी दुई पात्रले एक अर्काका कमजोरी तथा क्षमता राम्ररी बुझेका छन् । भलै, यी दुई पात्रको तीन वर्ष लामो सहकार्य दु:खद् मोडमा अन्त्य भएको थियो ।

त्यसैले पनि वामपन्थी दल एकीकरणको तीन वर्षपछि सर्वोच्चको दैलोमा छुट्टिभिन्न भएको यो जोडी फेरि लामो समय सत्ता साझेदार रहनेमा धेरैले आशंका गरिरहेका छन् ।

नयाँ गठबन्धनले राजनीतिक स्थायित्व दिने र सेवा प्रवाह प्रभावकारी बनाउने माओवादीका केहि नेताले दाबी गर्दै गर्दा मन्त्रिमन्डल परिवर्तनले कसरी सेवा प्रवाहमा सुधार ल्याउन सक्छ भन्ने यक्ष प्रश्नको जवाफ कसैसँग पनि छैन ।

त्यसैले, २०७९ पुस १० गते पछि पानी बाराबारको अवस्थामा पुगेका ओली र प्रचण्ड फेरि २०८० फागुन २१ मा आएर मिल्दैमा गठबन्धन दीर्घायु हुन्छ भन्ने धेरैको आशा छैन ।

किन त ?

ओली तथा प्रचण्ड दुबै ‘डाइनामिक’ नेता हुन् । दुबैको ब्यक्तित्व एक अर्काभन्दा कम छैनन् । त्यसैले ओली लो-प्रोफाइलमा बसेर प्रचण्डलाई एक्लै सरकार चलाउन छोडिदिन्छन् भन्ने पत्याउन मुश्किल छ ।

किनकि वामपन्थी दलको एकीकरणको नाममा २०७५ सालमा ओलीले सरकार चलाउँदा पनि प्रचण्डले उनलाई एक्लै सहजरुपमा सरकार संचालन गर्न दिएका थिएनन् ।

एक अर्काको ब्यक्तित्वको घर्षणका कारण अघिल्लो पटक जे भएको थियो, यसपटक त्योभन्दा भिन्न हुन्छ भन्ने कुनै आधार पनि छैन ।

त्यतिमात्र होइन, जसरी आफ्नो अस्थिर चरित्रलाई गतिशीलताको नाममा प्रचण्ड भ्रम बोकेर बाँचेका छन्, त्यति नै भ्रम उनका वर्तमान सत्तासहयात्री ओलीमा पनि छ । उस्तै परे ‘म जन्मेका कारण मात्रै नेपाल बनेको हो भन्न बेर लाउन्नन्’ ओली ।

यसअघि आ-आफ्ना ब्यक्तित्वको घर्षणले लागेको आगोले पोलेको पीडा ओकेलेका दुबैजनाका शब्दहरु अझै पनि संसद्को रेकर्डमा मात्र होइन सामाजिक संजालमा छरपस्ट भेटिन्छन् ।

प्रचण्ड र ओलीले ब्यक्तिगतरुपमा ओर्लेर एकअर्काप्रति ओकलेका आगोले ढिलोचाँडो फेरि पोल्न थाल्छ नै । त्यसैले नयाँ गठबन्धन कति लामो जान्छ, त्यसको निर्क्योल गर्नु हतार हुन्छ ।

गठबन्धनको आयु निर्धारण गर्ने अर्को महत्वपूर्ण कडी बजेट हो ।

संविधानअनुसार हरेक आर्थिक वर्षको जेठ १५ गते संघीय संसद्‍मा अर्थमन्त्रीले बजेट पेस गर्नैपर्छ । अझ यसपटक त सांसद्का विचार पनि समेट्न तीन महिना अघि नै प्रिबजेट छलफल गर्ने तयारीका साथ संसद्‍मा पेस भइसकेपछि गठबन्धन नै परिवर्तन भएको छ ।

निवर्तमान अर्थमन्त्री डा प्रशकाशशरण महतले आगामी आर्थिक वर्ष २०८१/८२ का लागि विनियोजन विधेयकका सिद्धान्त र प्राथमिकताका सम्बन्धमा छलफल गरियोस् भनी प्रस्ताव पेस गरिसकेका छन् ।

कानुनीरुपमा त्यसलाई सरकारले फिर्ता गर्न सक्दैन । त्यसैले नवनियुक्त अर्थमन्त्री वर्षमान पुनले अब त्यसैमा थपथाप गरेर प्रिबजेट छलफललाई निरन्तरता दिन्छन् ।

स्रोत समितिले दिएको सिलिङअनुसार डा महतले १८ खर्ब हाराहारीमात्र बजेट ल्याउने बताएका थिए । तर, प्रचण्डको योजना २२ खर्बको बजेट ल्याउने थियो ।

त्यसैले प्रचण्डको महत्वाकांक्षाको तुष्टिको लागि अर्थमन्त्री पुनले ठूलो आकारको बजेट ल्याउने छन् । अर्थतन्त्र संकुचित हुँदै गएका कारण राजस्वका स्रोतहरु सुक्दै गएका छन् । आम्दानी घट्ने तर अनियन्त्रित सामाजिक सुरक्षा बजेट अनि ऋणका कारण साँवा ब्याज तिर्नु पर्ने दायित्वका बढ्ने भएपछि सरकारले जतिसुकै ठूलो बजेट ल्याए पनि विकास निर्माणको लागि बजेट हुँदैन ।

सामाजिक सुरक्षा र तलबभत्तामा ४ खर्ब ४० अर्ब हाराहारी अनि ऋणको साँवा ब्याजमा ५ खर्ब ५० अर्ब हाराहारी गर्दा कूल १० खर्ब हाराहारी खर्च एक रुपैयाँ नकमाए पनि सरकारले बेहोर्नु पर्छ । सरकारको आम्दानी ११ खर्ब हाराहारी राजस्व नै हो । जुन चालु बजेट र वित्तीय ब्यवस्थापनका लागी पनि अपुग हुँदै गएको छ । पछिल्ला वर्षहरुमा सरकारको आम्दानी घट्नेक्रम जारी छ।

कर्मचारीतन्त्र बाहेक देशभर ३६ हजार ९०१ जना निर्वाचित जनप्रतिनिधि छन् । जसका लागि पनि सरकारको दायित्व रहन्छ । त्यसैले कर तिर्ने जनसंख्याभन्दा कर खपत गर्ने जनसंख्या बढी हुन लागेको नेपालमा बजेट अब नीतिगत भ्रष्टाचार गरेर राजनीतिक दललाई चुनाव खर्च उठाउने एउटा सहज कानुन मात्र हो भन्दा फरक पर्दैन ।

त्यसैले बजेटमार्फत आआफ्ना निकट ब्यवसायीका लागि नीतिगत भ्रष्टाचार गर्नै पर्ने बाध्यताका बीच एमाले अनि माओवादीमा फेरि सत्ता घर्षणको स्थिति उत्पन्न हुने कुरामा कुनै शंका छैन ।

प्रचण्डले गत बिहीबार संसद्‍मा सम्बोधन गर्दै कांग्रेसले व्यक्तिका रूपमा माया गरे पनि परिवर्तन सुशासन र समृद्धिको यात्रामा न्याय नगरेको गुनासो गरे । तर तिनै प्रचण्डले फेरि सुशासन र समृद्धिको नयाँ यात्रामा सुन तस्कर, किर्ते कागज बनाएर सरकारलाई कर छली गर्ने अनि सहकारी ठगीजस्ता गम्भीर अपराधका आरोपितलाई मन्त्री बनाए । त्यसैले पनि प्रचण्डको नयाँ परिवर्तन सुशासन र समृद्धिको यात्राको मार्गचित्रको झलक देखाइसकेको छ ।

नयाँ गठबन्धन पनि अघिल्लो झैं प्रचण्ड स्वार्थको गठबन्धन भएका कारण फेरि कुनै दिन अचानक प्रचण्डले परिवर्तन सुशासन र समृद्धिको यात्राको सपना देख्नेछन् र ‘गतिशिल’ हुनेछन् ।

जसलाइ आफ्नो परिवार बाहेक देशको त चिन्ता छैन, उसको परिवर्तन र गतिशीलताको अर्थ अनि गठबन्धनको अर्थ पनि सर्वसाधारणले बुझिसकेका छन् ।

जसरी प्रचण्डले सरकारलाई कर छल्न किर्ते कागज बनाउने, सहकारी ठगीका आरोपित अनि सुन तस्करीको आरोपितलाई मन्त्री नियुक्त गरेर मन्त्रिपरिषद्लाई स्वार्थको द्वन्द्वमा धकेलेका छन् । उनको गतिशीलताले पनि नयाँ गठबन्धन र नयाँ सरकारप्रतिको विश्वास सुरुमै धर्मराइसकेको छ ।

यसरी राजनीति अस्थिर भइरहँदा केहि घरजग्गा कारोबारी अनि सेयर बजारका केहि खेलाडीलाई, त्यो पनि अल्पकालका लागि फाइदा होला, तर समग्रमा अर्थतन्त्र झन् सुस्ततातर्फ जान्छ र हालकोभन्दा खराब परिस्थिति जन्माउँछ ।

त्यसमाथि प्रचण्ड आफैं पनि नयाँ गठबन्धनप्रति विश्वस्त छैनन्, बरु सशंकित छन् । नयाँ समीकरण पनि जोखिमपूर्ण नरहेको उनले बिहीबार संसदमा सम्बोधनको क्रममा बताएका छन् । ‘नयाँ समीकरण कति जोखिमपूर्ण थियो र छ, पछिल्ला दुई दिनका घटनाक्रमले देखाइरहेका छन्,’ उनले संसद्‍मा भने ।

उनी अगाडि भन्छन्, ‘अब यो कति परिणाममुखी हुन्छ, त्यो पनि विश्वासको मत लिने बेलासम्म प्रारम्भिक रूपमा प्रमाणित भइसक्ने विश्वास छ ।’ कामना गरौं विश्वासको मत लिने बेलासम्म अर्थात्, बुधबार (फागुन ३० गते) सम्म केहि पनि नहोस् र प्रचण्ड सरकारले विश्वासको मत पाओस् ।

किनकि पटक पटक परीक्षण भएका पुरानै आरोपित अनुहारहरुले परिणाम दिने भए नेपाल अविकासको दुश्चक्रमा फस्ने नै थिएन । मन्त्रीका अनुहार फेर्दैमा परिणाम देखिन्न भन्ने प्रचण्डले बुझन् पनि विश्वाशको मत पाउनै पर्छ ।

अन्यथा यस्तो नहोस् कि प्रचण्डका लगातारका अस्थिर कदमले परिणाम नदिएपछि नागरिकले प्रचण्ड कै विकल्प खोजुन् ।

हुनत प्रचण्ड आफनो अस्थिर चरित्रलाई लुकाउन हरेक पटक जोखिम मोलेको वा गतिशील भएको दाबी गर्छन् । उनले गतिशीलता वा जेखिम मोलेको जे शब्द प्रयोग गरे पनि उनको अस्थिर कदमले नेपाल र नेपालीलाई के दियो,

सर्वसाधारणले के पाए,

अनि नागरिकको जीवनमा के परिवर्तन आयो, त्यो महत्वपूर्ण हो ।

उनको अस्थीरताका कारण नागरिकले आफनो मुलुकप्रति विश्वास गुमाइरहेका छन् । प्रचण्डका हरेक पटकका अस्थिर कदमले उनका र उनका आसेपासे बाहेक कसैको पनि भविष्य नेपालमा सुरक्षित छैन भन्ने भाष्य बनाउन मद्दत गरेको छ ।

र, यो भाष्य प्रचण्ड आफैंले बनाउन मद्दत गरेका हुन् ।

साेमबार नारायण दाहालले राष्ट्रिय सभा अध्यक्षका लागि मनोनयन गरेपछि प्रचण्ड र उनका आसेपासे बाहेक कसैको पनि भविष्य नेपालमा सुरक्षित छैन भन्ने भाष्य बनाउन प्रचण्डकै हात छ भन्न स्पष्ट भएन र ?

सत्ताका निकट र आसेपासे मात्र नभएर आज हरेक दिन औसतमा २ हजारदेखि २२ सय नेपाली युवा देश छोडिरहेका छन् । कोहि रोजगारीको खोजीमा त कोही आफ्नो र आफ्ना सन्तानको सुरक्षित भविष्यको खोजीमा युद्धग्रस्त रुसमा भाडाको सिपाही बन्न जानसमेत बाध्य छन् ।

किन, कोहि नेपाली युवाले नेपालमा आफ्नो भविष्य सुरक्षित देख्न सकेको छैन ?

किन प्रचण्डका हरेक कदमपछि नेपाली युवा झन् असुरक्षित महसुस गर्दछन् ?

किन नेपालमा रोजगारी सिर्जना हुन सकेको छैन ?

भएका रोजगारी पनि किन दिनानुदिन घट्दै गएका छन् ?

जबसम्म भुइमान्छेका यस्ता प्रश्नको उत्तर प्रचण्डले दिन सक्दैनन्, तबसम्म प्रचण्डको गतिशीलता वा जोखिम मोलाइ उनी र उनका नातेदार अनि आसोपासेका लागि मात्र हो भन्ने स्पष्ट छ ।

तर, विडम्बना उनका नातेदार अनि आसोपासेको भौतिक उन्नतिका लागी हिजो कांग्रेस प्रयोग भयो, अब एमाले भएको छ ।

सिद्धान्त र विचारबिनाका गठबन्धनको आवश्यकता पुष्टि गर्न नसकेपछि गठबन्धन दीर्घकालीन हुँदैन । जो जोसँग जतिपटक प्रचण्डले गठबन्धन बनाए पनि भुइमान्छेका लागि त्यसको कुनै अर्थ रहन्न ।

हो, त्यसैले एउटा ब्यक्तिको महत्वाकांक्षाको लागि बन्ने यस्ता कुनै पनि गठबन्धनको भविष्य थिएन, छैन र हुँदैन पनि ।

गरिखाने नागरिकले तिरेको कर जबसम्म कर खपतकर्ताको फाइदाको लागि मात्र उपयोग हुन्छ, गठबन्धनभित्र पनि सधैं एकअर्काप्रति शंका रहन्छ । अनि शंकाले सहयात्रा सहज हुँदैन ।

सात दशक लामो राजनीतिक अस्थिरतापछि नेपाल संघीय गणतन्त्रमा गयो । नागरिकलाई सहज तथा सुलभ सेवा प्रवाह गर्न गाउँ गाउँमा सिंहदरबार आयो । तर, प्रचण्ड र ओली दुबैको नशामा जनवादी केन्द्रीयताको रगत बगिरहेको छ ।

प्रजातन्त्रको उच्चतम अभ्यास मानिएको संघीयता काठमाडौं केन्द्रीत भएकै कारण हाल प्रदेश खारेजीको माग जोडतोडले उठिरहेको छ ।

नयाँ गठबन्धन बनेपछि सातै प्रदेशमा सरकार परिवर्तनको संघारमा छन् ।

प्रदेशलाई आवश्यक कानुन तथा मानव संशाधन न ओलीले आफ्नो पालामा दिन सके, न प्रचण्डले । अब झन् दुबै चरम केन्द्रीयतावादीको गठबन्धनका कारण प्रदेशको हैसियत र आवश्यकतामा बिरोध चर्कने छ ।

यसले पनि गठबन्धनको यात्रालाई असहज बनाउँछ । गरिखाने नागरिकले तिरेको करले पालिने प्रदेशलाई केन्द्रका सत्ताधारीले आफ्ना खल्तीका कार्यकर्ता ब्यवस्थापन गर्ने संरचना बनाएका कारण बिरोध बढ्दै जाँदा नयाँ गठबन्धनको आयु पनि छोटिने स्पष्ट छ ।

त्यसमाथि नयाँ गठबन्धनका रहेको राष्ट्रिय स्वतन्त्र पार्टीले प्रदेश निर्वाचनमा प्रतिस्पर्धा नै गरेको थिएन । प्रदेश तथा संघीयता बारे रास्वपाको ढुलमुले विचारका कारण पनि गठबन्धनको सैद्धान्तिक आधार छैन ।

नयाँ गठबन्धनसँगै कोशी, मधेस, बागमति, गण्डकी, लुम्बिनी, सुदूरपश्चिम तथा कर्णाली प्रदेशमा पराकम्प आइसकेका छन् । यो राजनीतिक पराकम्पले प्रदेशको आवश्यकता र औचित्यमा थप प्रश्न उठाउने छ । र यो प्रश्नबाट गठबन्धन भाग्न सक्दैन ।

यदि केन्द्रकै नक्कल प्रदेशमा हुने हो, केन्द्र नै हाबी भइरहने हो अनि केन्द्रीय समीकरण अनुसार नै सधै प्रदेशको समीकरण परिवर्तन भइरहने हो भने यसले संघीयतामाथि नै पनि ठूलो प्रश्न उठ्छ । डा भट्टराइले भनेझैं ‘व्यवस्था जोगाउने जिम्मेवारी लिएकाहरुबाटै अहिलेको व्यवस्थामाथि संकट रहेको’ स्पष्ट छ ।

त्यसमाथि सेवा प्रवाहमा भन्दा पनि भ्रष्टाचार विकेन्द्रीकरण गर्न प्रदेशहरुको भूमिका देखिएको महालेखा परीक्षकका पछिल्ला प्रतिवेदनहरुमा छरपस्ट छ । त्यसले गर्दा पनि सर्वसाधारणमा संघीयताप्रति वितृष्णा जागेको छ । प्रचण्डको गतिशिल अस्थिरताले झन् त्यसमा मलजल गरेको छ ।

अनि, पटक-पटक हरेक राजनीतिक दललाई धोका दिँदै जाँदा प्रचण्डले अर्को जोखिम मोलेर ब्यवस्था नै परिवर्तन गर्छु, संघीयताविरुद्ध जान्छु, राजासँग मिल्छु भने, भने साँच्ची ओली के गर्लान् ?

त्यसैले ब्यक्तिगत महत्वाकांक्षा अनि स्वार्थका कारण भएका गठबन्धन टिक्दैनन् । अघिल्लो गठबन्धन पनि त्यहि कारणले नटिकेको हो, यो गठबन्धन पनि त्यहि कारणले टिक्दैन ।

अनि फेरि अर्को गठबन्धन बन्छ ।

त्यसैले यस्तो लाग्छ, मानौं सिंहदरबार नेपालको कार्यकारी प्रमुखको अड्डा होइन, एउटा पार्टी प्यालेस हो, जहाँ निरन्तर बिदाइ र स्वागतका पार्टी चलिरहन्छन् ।

नेपाली नागरिकको संविधानप्रदत्त सम्मानपूर्वक आफ्नै देशमा प्रतिस्पर्धाका आधारमा आफूले चाहेको, छानेको पेशा ब्यवसाय गरेर बाँच्न पाउने हक मारेर सिंहदरबार हासिरहन्छ ।

हरेक वर्ष पुरानो सरकारको बिदाइ अनि नयाँ सरकारको स्वागत गर्नमा मात्र सिंहदरबार रमाइरहन्छ । अनि नेपाल निर्माणमा सिंहदरबार असफल हुँदा गठबन्धन पनि असफल हुन्छ नि हैन र ?

(https://clickmandu.com/2024/03/298096.html)

Friday, March 1, 2024

World Bank supports fiscal and growth reforms and better provincial and local roads in Nepal

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved $200 million in new financing for two projects in Nepal to support the country’s transition toward Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development (GRID) and help improve the development and maintenance of Nepal’s provincial and local road network.

“The World Bank is committed to supporting Nepal’s green, resilient, and inclusive development. Through the new projects financed by the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), we continue to focus our assistance on improving people’s lives including through infrastructure and services,” said World Bank country director for Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka Faris Hadad-Zervos.

The $100 million Second Fiscal Policy for Growth, Recovery and Resilience Development Policy Credit aims to strengthen revenue collection, reduce fragmentation of debt management, and increase debt transparency. It also supports reforms to enhance climate-resilient infrastructure spending, lower Nepal’s minimum foreign direct investment (FDI) threshold to promote FDI inflows and facilitate automation to streamline the process of FDI.

“This operation will help strengthen the regulatory and institutional framework to support sustainable business growth, and enhance systems to protect the most vulnerable in Nepal” stated World Bank’s Task Team Leader for the programme Sibel Kulaksiz.

The $100 million credit for the Provincial and Local Roads Improvement Programme will support the implementation of a comprehensive program for the development and maintenance of Nepal’s provincial and local road network. It will help improve the efficiency of service delivery, strengthen the resilience of selected provincial roads and bridges, and ensure communities have safe access to markets and services.

This first of a three-phased series of programmes will be implemented in Madhesh, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim provinces and local levels with the potential to scale up in the future.

“The project will strengthen the institutional, management, and implementation capacity of the subnational governments over the long term to improve inclusive connectivity and promote efficiency through reduced travel time and costs,” said Senior Transport Specialist and Task Team Leader Reenu Aneja.

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Nepal sees some progress, experiences slow progress and regression in others in SDGs

Nepal has seen some progress in areas such as sustainable urban expansion and spatial data generation for various indicators (including 11.2.1-Urban access to public transport, and 11.3.1-ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate, and 11.7.1-measures the share of land allocated to public spaces and the total population with access of these spaces by age, gender and disability)

However, there are areas where Nepal is experiencing slow progress and regression, particularly in achieving food security and combating undernourishment (Goal 2) and reducing inequalities within and among countries (Goal 10), according to a UN report.

The report published by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) also underscores the importance of addressing these challenges and customising strategies to address specific issues in Nepal.

Despite improvements in data collection, significant data gaps still exist, it reads, adding that gender equality (Goal 5) and peace, justice and strong institutions (Goal 16) continue to have the least available data. "This report assesses Nepal’s SDG progress at the global level indicators; and we should be careful interpreting this report in relation to the SDG Report of the Government of Nepal that uses nationalised indicators to assess the SDG progress."

The report -- published today -- also provides an overview of current progress towards the SDGs in the Asia-Pacific region.

Progress on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remains uneven and inadequate across various segments of the population and within the five subregions of Asia and the Pacific, according to the report published by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) today, gender and location remain key factors in determining levels of poverty and inequality in the region.

“While additional efforts are required across the board, granular data emphasizes the urgency of addressing inequalities that impact marginalized groups, including women, girls, rural populations and the urban poor, who continue to find themselves locked out of education and employment opportunities,” underscored United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana.

“Equally, the sustained progress gap revealed between countries in special situations, especially Pacific small island developing States, and the rest of the region demands a concerted response from international, regional and national partners,” added Ms. Alisjahbana.

The Asia and the Pacific SDG Progress Report 2024 takes a closer look at groups that may be disadvantaged, focusing on how sex, urbanization, education level, age and income contribute to existing disparities and sometimes exacerbate them.

Despite overall progress in school enrolment rates, women and girls in the region continue to face considerable challenges when it comes to accessing education and employment opportunities. They have lower enrolment rates and struggle with literacy. Young women also encounter difficulties accessing labour markets, leading to higher rates of youth unemployment. Meanwhile, the challenges faced by men tend to be related to their health or personal safety. They suffer from higher rates of suicide, chronic diseases and road traffic deaths.

People living in rural areas face pronounced disadvantages, such as limited access to basic drinking water and sanitation facilities. Additionally, the lower availability of clean cooking fuels in these areas contributes to serious respiratory diseases. In general, urban areas exhibit better conditions, yet paradoxically, within these areas, the poorest boys and girls face significant hurdles in completing upper secondary education.

At its current pace, the report further highlights that the region will not achieve all 17 SDGs before 2062 – marking a significant 32-year delay. While positive steps have been taken toward eliminating poverty (Goal 1) and bolstering sustainable industry, innovation and infrastructure (Goal 9) in the region, progress in other critical areas has been more modest. Efforts towards mitigating hunger (Goal 2), enhancing health and well-being (Goal 3), ensuring the availability of clean water and sanitation (Goal 6), expanding affordable and clean energy (Goal 7) and building sustainable cities and communities (Goal 11) have been less pronounced and require heightened attention.

On a more encouraging note, the report shares several laudable national success stories on supporting at-risk population groups. In the Philippines, dedicated research and analysis aimed at estimating the cost of supporting children living with a disability played a pivotal role in influencing recent legislation to provide a disability allowance, extending support to children with disabilities. Nationwide digital training programmes in Viet Nam have underscored the value of public-private partnerships in accelerating digital transformation and bridging the skills and employment gap for youth and migrant workers. Meanwhile, in North and Central Asia, national statistical systems in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have been upgraded to better support stateless populations.

An annual publication produced by ESCAP, the Asia and the Pacific SDG Progress Report uses the latest data for global SDG indicators to determine where additional effort is needed in the region and where momentum for future progress is building.

Monday, February 12, 2024

लगानी सम्मेलनलाई फास्ट ट्रयाकमा कानुन संशोधन गर्ने तयारीमा सरकार

 काठमाडौं । सरकारले लगानी सम्मेलन अगावै नेपालमा लगानीका लागि अवरोध मानिएका कानुन संशोधन गर्ने जनाएको छ ।

कानुन संशोधनको लागी निजी क्षेत्र समेतको सहभागितामा गठित नीतिगत, संरचनागत एवं प्रक्रियागत सुधारका लागि सुझाव कार्यदलले सूची बुझाइसके पनि सरकारको तर्फबाट ती कानुन संशोधनका लागि प्रतिनिधि सभामा लैजान बाँकी छ ।

आउँदाे वैशाख १६ र १७ गते (अप्रिल २८ र २९) गते आयोजना गर्न लागिएको लगानी सम्मेलन आयोजक समितिअन्तर्गत मौजुदा नीतिगत, संरचनागत एवं प्रक्रियागत सुधारका लागि सुझाव कार्यदलले दिएको संशोधन सुझावलाई प्रतिनिधि सभामा लगेर छलफल गरि पारित गर्न सरकारसँग दुई महिना पनि बाँकी छैन ।

लगानी सम्मेलनको अघिल्लो दिन कानुन संशोधन गरेर लगानीकर्ता कन्भिन्स हुन नसक्ने भएका कारण समयको दबाब बढ्दै छ। त्यसैले सरकारले ‘लगानी सहजीकरण गर्न केही नेपाल ऐन संशोधन गर्न बनेको विधेयक, २०८०’ मन्त्रिपरिषदबाट प्रतिनिधि सभामा लैजाने तयारी गरेकाे हाे ।

नेपाल उद्योग वाणिज्य महासंघका अध्यक्ष तथा नीतिगत, संरचनागत एवं प्रक्रियागत सुधारका लागि सुझाव कार्यदलमा निजी क्षेत्रका प्रतिनीधि चन्द्र ढकाल सरकारले फास्ट ट्रयाकमा कानुन संशोधन प्रकृया अगाडि बढाउने प्रतिबद्धता जनाएको बताउँछन्।

उनका अनुसार निर्देशक समितिले छलफल गरेर कानुन सुधारका सुझाव मन्त्रीपरिषदमा पठाइने छ । मन्त्री परिषदले प्रतिनिधि सभामा पेश गर्ने तयारी गरेको छ ।

कुनै पनि देशका लगानीकर्ताले लगानी गर्दा आफ्ना वस्तु तथा सेवाको सम्भाव्य बजार, बजारमा प्रवेश तथा नाफा फिर्ता लैजान सहजीकरण, कानुनी र प्रशाशनिक झंझट भए नभएको तथा राजनीतिक जोखिम हो । प्रतिस्पर्धी वस्ताु तथा सेवाको लागि नेपालमा नेपालको मात्रै नभएर छिमेकी देश भारत तथा चीनको बजार पनि छ । तर, कानुनी तथा प्रशासनिक झमेला भने नेपालमा बढि भएको स्वदेशी र विदेशी लगानीकर्ताको ठम्याइ छ ।

त्यसैले सबैभन्दा पहिला कानुन संशोधनमा जोड दिनु पर्ने लगानीकर्ताहरु बताउँछन् । त्यसैले नेपालमा लगानी प्रवर्द्धनका लागि लगानी बोर्डको कार्यालयलाई कानुनी र संरचनागत अधिकारसहित स्वायत्त तथा अधिकारसम्पन्न बनाउने र हाल अन्तर मन्त्रालय तथा निकायमा छरिएर रहेका लगानीका कानुनलाई एकीकृत बनाएर वा विन्डो पोलिसी (एक प्रवेशद्धार) को नीति चाहिने हाल नेपालमा लगानी गरिरहेका लगानीकर्ताहरु बताउँछन् । उनीहरुका अनुसार प्रतिफलको हिसाबले नेपाल लगानीको लागि उपयुक्त मुलुक भएपनि कानुनी तथा प्रशाशनिक झंझट तथा त्यसले सिर्जना गरेको अनिश्चयको वातावरणमा नयाँ लगानीकर्ता नेपाल आउन हच्केका हुन् ।

त्यसैले कानुनमा सुधारका लागि सिफारिस गर्न गठिन कार्यदलले एक दर्जन ऐन तथा नियमावली संशोधन गर्न सिफारिस गरेको छ । कार्यदलले औद्योगिक व्यवसाय ऐन २०७६, विदेशी लगानी तथा प्रविधि हस्तान्तरण ऐन २०७५, विशेष आर्थिक क्षेत्र ऐन २०७३, वन ऐन २०७६, राष्ट्रिय निकुञ्ज तथा वन्यजन्तु संरक्षण ऐन, २०२९ लगायत ऐनका व्यवस्था संशोधनको सुझाव दिएको छ ।

यसका साथै, भूमिसम्बन्धी ऐन २०२१, जग्गा प्राप्ति ऐन २०३४, वातावरण संरक्षण ऐन २०७६, विद्युतीय कारोबार ऐन २०६३, नागरिक उड्डयन ऐन, २०५३ का व्यवस्थामा पनि संशोधन गर्न सुझाव दिएको छ । विदेशी लगानी तथा प्रविधि हस्तान्तरण नियमावली, २०७७ र वन नियमावली, २०७९ मा समेत संशोधन तथा विद्यमान अन्य केहि ऐन कानुन परिमार्जनका लागि कार्यदलले सुझाव दिएको छ ।

लगानी सम्मेलन निर्देशक समितिको विहीबार बसेको तेस्रो बैठकले नीति, कानून तथा संरचनागत सुधार कार्यदलका संयोजक एवं प्रधानमन्त्री तथा मन्त्रिपरिषद् कार्यालयका सचिव अर्यालको समितिले बुझाएका ती कानूनी तथा नीतिगत सुधारको प्रतिवेदनका बारेमा छलफल गरेको थियो ।

विभिन्न देशका लगानीकर्तालाई नेपालमा बोलाएर लगानी गर्नका लागि आश्वस्त पार्न सरकारले देखाउने पत्यारिता आधार तयार गर्नेक्रममा पहिलो आवश्यकता मौजुदा कानुनमा सुधार नै भएको निर्देशक समितिको पनि निक्र्यौल छ ।

त्यसैले बैठकमा अर्थमन्त्री तथा निर्देशक समितिका संयोजक डा. प्रकाशशरण महतले नेपालमा लगानी गर्न अन्तरराष्ट्रिय लगानीकर्ताबाट चासो प्राप्त भइरहेको बताउँदै नेपाली लगानीकर्ता एवं गैरआवासीय नेपालीलाई समेत आकर्षित गर्न कानूनी र नीतिगत सुधारमा सरकारले कुनै कसर बाँकी नराख्ने बताए ।

सचिव अर्यालले निर्देशक समितिमा प्रस्तुत गरेको कानूनी तथा नीतिगत सुधारका सम्बन्धमा तयार भएको प्रतिवेदनमा समितिका केहि सुझाव भए समावेश गरेर ‘लगानी सहजीकरण गर्न केही नेपाल ऐन संशोधन गर्न बनेको विधेयक, २०८०’ मन्त्रिपरिषद्को स्वीकृतिपश्चात् अनुमोदनका लागि संसद पठाउने तयारी गरिएको महासंघका अध्यक्ष ढकालले जानकारी दिए ।

कार्यदलले औद्योगिक व्यवसाय ऐन, २०७६ मा स्टार्टअप उद्यम तथा व्यवसायको परिभाषा थप गर्न आवश्यक रहेको, थप प्रोत्साहन, छुट, सुविधा, सहुलियत प्रदान गर्न सक्ने व्यवस्था ऐनमा राख्न सुझाव दिएको छ भने विदेशी लगानी तथा प्रविधि हस्तान्तरण ऐन, २०७५ को दफा २ को खण्ड (ग) मा संशोधन गरी गैरआवासीय नेपालीको परिभाषा संशोधन गर्न सुझाव दिएको छ ।

यसैगरि, विशेष आर्थिक क्षेत्र ऐन, २०७३ संशोधन गरि विशेष आर्थिक क्षेत्रमा स्थापना भएका उद्योगले उत्पादन सुरु गरेको तीन वर्षसम्म कम्तीमा १५ प्रतिशत र छ वर्षभित्र कम्तीमा ३० प्रतिशत उत्पादित वस्तु वा सेवा निर्यात गर्नुपर्ने सुझाव कार्यदलले दिएको छ ।

नेपालमा लगानकिा लागि वन ऐन ठुलो तगारोको रुपमा रहेको स्विकार्दै वन ऐन, २०७६ मा ‘वन पैदावार’को परिभाषामा संशोधन गर्न पनि कार्यदलले सुझाव दिएको छ । वनसँगै जोडिएर आउने राष्ट्रिय निकुन्ज तथा वन्यजन्तु संरक्षण ऐन, २०२९ मा पनि विकास निर्माणलाई सहजीकरण गर्न तथा भूमिसम्बन्धी ऐन, २०२१मा रहेको हदबन्दी छुटलाई नियमन गर्नेसम्बन्धी विशेष व्यवस्थामा संशोधन गर्न पनि कार्यदलको सुझाव छ ।

वातावरण सरंक्षण ऐन, २०७६, विद्युतीय कारोबार ऐन, २०६३, नेपाल नागरिक उड्डयन प्राधिकरण ऐन, २०५३ लगायतमा शंसोधन गर्न कार्यदलको सुझाव छ ।

यसअघि पनि निजी क्षेत्रले यसअघि नै २८ कानुन संशोधन, ५ खारेज तथा ३ वटा नयाँ बनाउन सरकारसँग माग गरेको थियो । नेपाल उद्योग परिसंघ (सीएनआई)ले कानुनी समस्या र त्यसले पारेको नकारात्मक प्रभावका कारण जम्मा ३६ वटा कानुन संशोधन, खारेज र नयाँ बनाउने विषयमा सरकारलाई औपचारिक प्रस्ताव गरेको थियो ।

सरकारले कनुनमा सुधार गर्दा अर्थतन्त्र समृद्ध हुने र आर्थिक गतिविधि बढ्ने अनि नेपालमा रोजगारी सिर्जना हुने निजी क्षेत्रको ठम्याइ छ । अन्यथा नेपालले तीव्र आर्थिक वृद्धिको लक्ष्य हासिल गर्न नसक्ने, लगानीको वातावरण नबन्ने र औद्योगिकीकरण हुन नसक्ने ठहर निजी क्षेत्रको छ ।

लामो समयदेखि थाँती रहेका कानुन सुभारको विषयलाई सरकारले बेवास्ता गर्दा स्वदेशी एवं विदेशी लगानीकर्ता नेपालमा लगानी गर्न आत्मविश्वास गुमाउँदै गएको निजी क्षेत्रको ठम्याइ छ ।

Sunday, February 11, 2024

Some 68,000 children affected by earthquake still need urgent assistance : UNICEF

After 100 days of a 6.4 magnitude earthquake in western Nepal (November 3, 2023), UNICEF is calling for continued support for 68,000 children and their families in the affected areas and appealing for $14.7 million in funding to help rebuild the lives of the affected children.  

The earthquake, with its epicentre in Jajarkot District of Karnali Province, killed 154 people and injured 366. Half the dead, 81, were children. The earthquake also damaged homes, schools, health facilities and water supply infrastructure, which disrupted critical services for children.  Around 200,000 people, including 68,000 children, many of whom spent a cold winter in temporary shelters, still need humanitarian assistance to rebuild their lives. 

“Three months on, following a harsh winter, thousands of children affected by the destructive earthquake in western Nepal continue to face daily hardships," UNICEF representative to Nepal Alice Akunga said. 

"They are still dealing with the trauma of losing loved ones. Their development is at risk as they lost their belongings, homes and schools, among others” Akunga said, adding that even as temperatures rise, the needs are still high as children require nutritious food, clean water, education and shelter. "One of the best ways to rebuild children’s lives and restore a sense of normalcy is to get them back to school and learning, so that they can play with their friends, learn and heal.”

Immediately after the earthquake, UNICEF was on the ground with the government and partners to provide children and their families with life-saving supplies such as tarpaulins, blankets, medical tents, recreational and educational kits, and hygiene materials.

The earthquake damaged 898 school buildings (294 fully damaged, 604 partially damaged), impacting education of around 134,000 school-aged children. Out of these, over 17,000 children have gone back to school, thanks to 223 temporary learning centres set up by UNICEF with support of the development partners.

In addition, transitional learning centres, which can withstand extreme weather conditions, are being set up so that children can continue their education until school buildings are fully repaired.

Furthermore, UNICEF, working with local governments and partners, also helped to repair 565 damaged toilets and construct 251 temporary toilets. Support was also provided for the government’s campaign to vaccinate children against deadly diseases such as measles, rubella and typhoid.     

But much more needs to be done to support children and their families. So far only 7 per cent of UNICEF’s $15.7 million appeal has been funded, a large proportion of which includes financing from the UNICEF Global Humanitarian Thematic Fund, the most flexible form of funding allowing for rapid and strategic responses by UNICEF to humanitarian crises, as well as support from UNICEF National Committees.

UNICEF is calling for $14.7 million in additional funding to continue providing life-saving support to children.

"UNICEF thanks all our donors and supporters who have provided the much-needed resources. However, additional efforts are required to help restore lives and give children hope for the future,” added Akunga. “UNICEF is committed to working with the Government of Nepal, partners and donors to help children and young people in desperate need of support. We are calling for investment from donors and partners so that we can continue to provide life-saving supplies and services to help children survive and thrive."

Thursday, February 8, 2024

किन हराउँदै छ उद्योगी व्यवसायीको आत्मविश्वास ?

माओवादी द्वन्द्व कालमा त्रासको वातावरण थियो ।

कतिबेला कहाँ के हुन्छ, टु‌‌गो थिएन । बिहान घरबाट निस्केको मान्छे बेलुका घर आउँछ कि आउन्न भन्ने ठेगान थिएन ।

उद्योगी ब्यवसायीको त झन् कुरै भएन, कति बेला कुन उद्योगमा बम पड्कन्थ्यो वा तत्कालीन माओवादीले मजदुरलाई कतिबेला उद्योग बन्द गराउन दबाब दिन्थ्यो, सब त्राहिमाम् थिए ।

काठमाडौंबाट घर हिँडेका बस अनि यात्रु कतिदिनमा पुग्थे वा पुग्दै पुग्दैनथे, ठेगान थिएन ।

यस्तो भय र त्रासको वातावरणमा पनि अर्थतन्त्र भने नकारात्मक हुन पाएन । किनकि उद्योगी व्यवसायीमा त्रास त थियो तर आशा पनि जीवितै थियो, यी सबै राजनीतिक समस्या एकदिन समाधान हुन्छन् भन्ने ।

२०५२ बाट सुरु भएको नेपालको आन्तरिक द्वन्द्वमा एक दशकपछि २०६२ मा आएर पूर्णविराम लाग्यो । सात दशकदेखिको एउटा राजनीतिक लडाइले बिट मार्यो ।

नेपाल संघीय गणतन्त्रको युगमा प्रवेश गर्यो । भलै, संघीय गणतन्त्रको संविधान जारी हुन फेरि अर्को एक दशक नै लाग्यो । अस्थीरता, अन्यौलता र अनिश्चयकाबीच नेपालले नयाँ संविधान पायो ।

राजनीतिक दलहरुले अब राजनीतिक क्रान्ति सकिएको र अब आर्थिक क्रान्ति गर्ने बताउँदा यस्तो लाग्थ्यो, अब नेपालले काँचुली फेर्ने छ, नयाँ नेपालको नारा सार्थक हुने छ ।

पहाडदेखि तराइसम्म कलकारखान खुल्नेछन्, युवाहरुले आफ्नो पौरख मातृभुमिमा नै देखाउनेछन् । अब, नेपाल कायापलट हुन एक दशक पनि लाग्दैन । किनकि अब अस्थीरता, अन्यौलता र अनिश्चयका कुनै पनि बादल नेपाली आकाशमा बाँकि थिएनन् ।

तर, त्यो मृग मरिचिका रहेछ ।

नेपालको प्रमुख उद्यम र उद्योग नै राजनीति भएका कारण विसं २०५२ देखि २०६२ र २०६२ देखि २०७२ भन्दा अनिश्चय, अन्यौलता अनि अस्थीरता त २०७२ देखि २०८२को दशकमा देखिएको छ

संघीय गणतन्त्र नेपालको संविधान जारी भएकै अर्को एक दशक बित्न लाग्यो, आशाका कुनै किरण देखिएका छैनन् ।

एकथरीका हातबाट सत्ता गयो, अर्कोथरीका दिन आए, ब्यवस्था परिवर्तन भयो, नेपाली नागरिकको अवस्था परिवर्तन भएन, मुलतः आर्थिक क्रान्तिको सपना केबल सपनामै रह्यो, सधैं सधैं राजनीति नै हाबी भैरह्यो ।

हुनत संविधान लेख्ने क्रममा नै पनि बहस भएको हो । तर, अपुरो बहसको कुनै सार्थक परिणाम निस्कने कुनै आधार थिएन र निस्केन पनि ।

नेपालको संविधान २०७२ सम्झौताको दस्तावेज भएका कारण संविधानमा समाजवादउन्मुख अर्थतन्त्र लेखिए पनि केहि हुँदैन, राजनीतिक दलहरुले भने, हामीले पत्यायौं ।

हुनत त्यतिबेलै पनि नागरिक समाजको अगाडि एउटा, विकास साझेदारका अगाडि अर्को अनि आफ्ना कार्याकर्ताको अगाडि झन् अर्को ब्याख्या गरेको नदेखेको, नुसुनेको होइन । तर इमानदार नेपाली नागरिकले राजनीतिक दलले भनेका कुरा हुबहु पत्यायौं ।

त्यसैले आज सबैमा चरम निराशा छ । माओवादीद्वारा सिर्जित आन्तरिक द्वन्द्वकालमा पनि यति अनिश्चितता थिएन, त्यति अनिश्चयको शिकार भएको छ, नेपाली समाज । अनि उद्योगी व्यावसायी पनि यहि समाजकै हिस्सा हुन्, अनिश्चयको शिकार उनीहरु पनि नहुने कुरै भएन ।

युवा आफ्नो भविष्य नेपालमा नदेखेर छिटोभन्दा छिटो नेपाल छोड्न चाहन्छन् । युवा जनशक्ति नभएपछि उद्योग व्यवसायमा पनि मानव संशाधनको अभाव हुने नै भयो । त्यतिमात्र होइन उत्पादन खपत गर्ने उपभोक्ता युवापुस्ता नभएका कारण आयात पनि घट्न थालेको छ । आयात घट्दा स्वाभाविक नै हो, सरकारको राजस्वमा पनि धक्का पुगेको छ ।

आखिर किन यो चरम निराशाको वातावरण बनिरहेका छ त ?

किनकि बहुसंख्यक नेपालीले हरेकपल्ट धोका पाएको महसुस गरेका छन् । राजनीतिक दल तथा तिनका नेतृत्वमा आफ्ना कार्यकर्ता पोस्ने अनि आफनाे ब्यवस्था गर्ने बाहेक मुलुकमा रोजगारी सिर्जना गर्ने वा काम गरि खाने वातावरण बनाउने, मुलुकको ब्यवस्था बदल्ने कुनै चेष्टा देखिन्न ।

एउटा उदाहरण हेरौं, पासपोर्ट बनाउन जाँदा, १५ हजार तिर्यो भने भोलिपल्टै पासपोर्ट पाइन्छ तर स्वदेशमा नै काम गर्छु, उद्योगधन्दा गर्छुभन्दा अनावश्यक दु:ख, झन्झट पाइन्छ । त्यतिमात्रै कहाँ हो र, पहिल्यै घुस नखुवाइ कम्पनी दर्ता पनि हुँदैन ।

यसरी सरकारले नै विदेश जान युवालाई धकेल्ने (अर्थशास्त्रको भाषामा राज्य नियोजित पुस फ्याक्टर) राज्यको नीति तथा ब्यबहारका कारण मुलुकको अर्थतन्त्रले ठूलो घाटा उठाउनु परेको छ । जो नेपालमा बसिरहेका छन्, केहि गर्छु भन्छन्, उनीहरुमा आत्मविश्वास जगाउन सरकारले केहि गर्दैन ।

हुनत नेपाली नागरिकले सधैँ धोका पाउँदै आएका हुन् ।

नेपालको इतिहासमा राजनीतिक उतारचढाव लगातार रहिरह्यो । हरेक दशकमा राजनीतिक क्रान्ति भइरहे । राजनीति आवश्यक छ तर, अति राजनीति मुलुकको दीर्घकालीन स्वास्थ्यका लागि हानीकारक छ भन्ने हाम्रा राजनीतिक दल तथा नेतृत्वले बुझेनन्, कहिल्यै बुझ्न प्रयत्न पनि गरेनन् । त्यसैले आर्थिकरुपमा मुलुकलाई अग्रगमनमा लाने इतिहासमा उल्लेख गर्न लायक थोरैमात्र वर्ष होलान्, धेरै त बिर्सन लायक नै रहे ।

यसको अर्थ नेपालमा केहि भएन भन्ने होइन राजनीतिक, सामजिकरुपमा नेपालले धेरै उपलब्धि हासिल गरेको छ । तर, आर्थिकरुपमा नेपाल अगाडि बढ्ने सकेन, किनकि राजनीतिक दलका नेतृत्वमा आर्थिक सचेतना नै देखिएन । नयाँ पुराना सबै राजनीतिक दल नै आफैं उद्योग भए, उद्योग खोल्ने वातावरण बनाउनै दिएनन् ।

नेपालको प्रमुख उद्यम र उद्योग नै राजनीति भएका कारण विसं २०५२ देखि २०६२ र २०६२ देखि २०७२ भन्दा अनिश्चय, अन्यौलता अनि अस्थीरता त २०७२ देखि २०८२को दशकमा देखियो ।

विगतका दुई दशकमा केहि आशा, केहि सपनाले अंकुराउने चेष्टा गरेका थिए तर ८० को दशकमा त सपना देख्न पनि प्रतिबन्ध नै लागेको छ । जब कुनै समाजले सपना देख्दैन, दैख्नै पाउँदैन अनि त्यो समाज कसरी अगाडि बढ्छ ?

नेपाललाई समृद्धि, सुशासन र सभ्य समाजको सपना देख्न बन्देज लगाउँदै गएका कारण नै समाजले आत्मविश्वास गुमाउँदै गएको छ । आत्मविश्वास गुमाउँदै गएको समाजका सबै पेशा व्यवसायले रोज्ने पलायन नै हो । त्यसैले युवा पलायन रोज्दै छन् ।

विसं २०२० देखि ६ दशकको औसत् आर्थिक वृद्धि हेर्ने हो भने स्पष्टरुपमा देख्न सकिन्छ, किन कोहि नेपालमा बस्न चाहँदैन ?

पञ्चायतको कालखण्डको सुरुवाती २०२० को दशकमा करिब २ प्रतिशतको हाराहारमिा आर्थिक वृद्धि भएको थियो । तर, त्यसको ६ दशकपछि गणतन्त्र प्राप्तिपछिको ६० र ७०को दशकको औसत आर्थिक वृद्धिदर ४ प्रतिशत हाराहारी छ ।

त्यतिमात्र होइन २०२१ सालमा नेपालको प्रतिव्यक्ति आय ६५ अमेरिकी डलर हुँदा कोरियाको १ सय पाँच डलर थियो । राष्ट्रिय तथ्यांक कार्यालयकाअनुसार नेपालको प्रतिव्यक्ति आय हाल १ हजार ४ अमेरिकी डलर छ अर्थात् ५० वर्षमा नेपालीको प्रतिव्यक्ति आयमा वृद्धि त भएको छ तर, कोरियाको प्रतिव्यक्ति आम्दानी ३४ हजार डलर पुगेको छ । अनि किन आत्मविश्वास गुमाउँदैन समाजले ।

पञ्चायतको अन्तिम वर्ष तथा २०४६ को आन्दोलनपछि बनेको नेपाली कांग्रेसको सरकारले लिएको उदार अर्थनीतिका कारण २०४७ सालपछि तीन वर्षमा ७१ प्रतिशतले औद्योगिक उत्पादन बढेको देखिन्छ । त्यसपछि २०५९, २०६५ र २०६६ मा सामान्य गिरावट भयो तर समग्रमा सरदर वृद्धिदर २०४६ सालअघिको भन्दा कम रहेन ।

माओवादीद्वारा सिर्जित श्रम समस्या तथा आपूर्तिजन्य अवरोध तथा राजनीतिक अस्थिरता, चर्को लोडसेडिङका बीच पनि त्यसबेला गार्हस्थ उत्पादनमा उद्योगको हिस्सा २०४६ सालअघिको कुनै पनि वर्षभन्दा कम भएन ।

२०५२ सालमा द्वन्द्व सुरु हुनुअघिसम्म नेपालको आर्थिक विकासले गति लिएकै कारण २०४१ देखि २०५० सालसम्मको दशकको औसत आर्थिक वृद्धिदर ५.२ प्रतिशत देखिन्छ । उदारीकरणलाई जति सरापे पनि नेपालको खुला बजारमा आ-आफ्नो क्षमता तथा सीपअनुसारको पेसा व्यवसाय गरेर अर्थिक विकास भएको दशकका रुपमा २०४१/२०५० पर्दछ ।

तर, गणतन्त्र प्राप्तिपछि राजनीतिकरुपमा सबैभन्दा बढी कम्युनिस्टले प्रयोग गर्ने शब्दावली दलाल पुँजीवादबाट राष्ट्रिय पुँजीको विकास कसरी गर्ने भन्नेबारे नेपालका कुनै पनि कम्युनिस्ट पार्टीमा सामान्य ज्ञान नभएका कारण उनीहरु जानी नजानी दलाल पुँजीवादको विकासमा योगदान पुर्‍याइरहेका छन् । जसका कारण उद्यमशीलतामा नेपालीको विश्वास हराउँदै गएको छ ।

सरकारले उद्योग चलाउने होइन, सरकारले नीति बनाउने हो र निजी क्षेत्रले व्यवासाय गर्ने हो भन्ने चीनलगायत विश्वमा स्थापित र परीक्षित सामान्य अर्थशास्त्रीय चेतलाई चुनौती दिँदा पनि नेपालमा उद्यम र उद्यमशीलता मासिँदै गएको छ ।

२०४६ सालपछिको आर्थिक सुधारले चर्को द्वन्द्वबाट गुज्रिएको नेपाली अर्थतन्त्र धानिरहेको थियो । पहिलो चरणको आर्थिक सुधारले त्यत्रो द्वन्द्वग्रस्त दशकमा त अर्थतन्त्रलाई धानेको थियाे भने दोस्रो चरणको आर्थिक सुधार गर्न किन चाहँदैन सरकार ?

४०को दशकमा लिइएका आर्थिक सुधारले दक्षिण एसियामा नेपाल सबैभन्दा आकर्षक लगानीमैत्री र क्षेत्रीयरूपमै प्रतिस्पर्धात्मक मुलुक रूपमा स्थापित थियो । जसका कारण नेपालको कुल गार्हस्थ उत्पादनको वृद्धिदर ८.४ प्रतिशतसम्म पुगेको थियो । तर, वितेका ६ दशकमा विश्वमा व्यापक परिवर्तन आए । र ती परिवर्तन विश्वमा आर्थिक परिवर्तनका संवाहक बने ।

परम्परागतरुपमा विश्वकै एकमात्र कम्युनिष्ट मुलुक चीनले समेत आर्थिक स्वतन्त्रतामार्फत समृद्धिको सपना देख्न थालिसकेको छ। जसको फलस्वरुप चीनमा करिब ५०० अर्बपति छन् । र चीन विश्वको सबैभन्दा ठूलो अर्थतन्त्र बन्ने दौडमा छ ।

तर, नेपालमा प्रधानमन्त्री पुष्पकमल दाहाल आफ्नो घोषित नीतिअनुरुप नेपाललाई साम्यवादतर्फको यात्रामा लाँदैछन् । त्यसैको पहिलो पाइलास्वरुप उनी निजी क्षेत्रलाई लखेट्दै उद्योग व्यवसाय सरकारको संरक्षणमा ल्याउन कम्मर कसेर लागेका छन् ।

त्यसबाट राजनीतिकरुपमा फाइदा छ, व्यवसायी भागेपछि उद्योग कार्यकर्तालाई सुम्पन पाइन्छ । पञ्चायतकालमा झैं उद्योगमा आफ्ना कार्यकर्ता भर्ना गर्न पाएपछि साम्यवाद आइहाल्छ ।

तर, नेपालको अर्थतन्त्रमा निजी क्षेत्रको योगदान ८१ प्रतिशत छ अनि रोजगारी सिर्जनामा ८५ प्रतिशत छ । निजी क्षेत्रलाई लखेट्दा अर्थतन्त्रको ८१ प्रतिशत हिस्सा पनि लखेटिन्छ ।

हाल नेपालमा सिर्जना भएका हरेक १० रोजगारीमध्ये ९ रोजगारी निजी क्षेत्रले सिर्जना गरेको छ । अर्थात् ती ९ रोजगारी पनि हरिन्छन् । ती वेरोजगार युवा कि खाडीतिर जान्छन् कि राजनीतिक दलका कार्यकर्ता बन्छन् । अलि टाठोबाठोले अर्को राजनीतिक दल खोल्ला । स्वाभाविक हो, राजनीति नै प्रमुख उद्योग भएको देशमा नयाँ राजनीतिक दल अर्थात नयाँ उद्योग ।

तर, साम्यवादतर्फको यात्रामा प्रधानमन्त्री तथा उनको सरकारले नबुझेको कुरा के हो भने, निजी क्षेत्रलाई लखेटेर अर्थतन्त्र चल्दैन । निजी क्षेत्र नभए मुलुकमा रोजगारी पनि सिर्जना हुँदैन । सरकारले निश्चित संख्यामा मात्रै रोजगारी सिर्जना गर्न सक्दछ तर सरकारकाे एउटा सही नीतिले निजी क्षेत्रले असंख्य रोजगारी सिर्जना गर्न सक्दछ ।

विसं २०७२ सालपछि नेपालमा बनेका सरकारका कृयाकलाप हेर्दा मुलुक उल्टो बाटोमा हिँडेको देखिन्छ ।

हाल मुलुकमा रोजगारी नपाएर हरेक दिन १८ सय नेपाली युवा वैदेसिक रोजगारीमा गइरहेका छन् । उनीहरुको लागि मुलकभित्रै रोजगारी सिर्जना गर्न सरकारले निजी क्षेत्रलाई प्रोत्साहन गर्न कानूनी तथा प्रशासनिक झन्झट हटाएर सहजीकरण गरिदिनु पर्नेमा उल्टै उद्योग संचालन गर्न तिर लाग्नु नागरिकले तिरेको करको दुरुपयोग गर्नु हो ।

संसारकै ठूलो अर्थतन्त्र बन्न चीन सरकारले आफैं उद्योग चलाएन, बरु निजी क्षेत्रलाई अगाडि बढ्न सहजीकरण गरिदियो ।

चीन जस्तो कम्युनिस्ट मुलुकले त नियन्त्रितरुपमा नै सही निजी क्षेत्रलाई अगाडि बढाएका कारण चीनको अर्थतन्त्र उकालो लागेको छ भने नेपालले उल्टोबाटो हिँडेर समृद्धि प्राप्त गर्ने कुनै आशा छैन, भरोसा छैन, त्यसैले नेपाली समाजले आत्मविश्वास गुमाउँदै छ ।

विसं २०७२ सालपछि नेपालमा बनेका सरकारका कृयाकलाप हेर्दा मुलुक उल्टो बाटोमा हिँडेको देखिन्छ ।

पछिल्लो समय शिक्षा तथा स्वास्थ्यमा पनि निजी क्षेत्रको लगानी आकर्षित भएको थियो । नेपालमा भारतीयको लगानीमा मेडिकल कलेज खुल्दा नेपाली विद्यार्थीले नेपालमै पढ्ने अवसर पाएका थिए, भारतीय विद्यार्थीहरु पनि नेपालमा पढ्न आउन थालेका थिए ।

जसरी नेपाली विद्यार्थी भारत, चीन तथा बंगलादेशलगायत विश्वका विभिन्न मुलुकमा पढ्न गइरहेका छन्, त्यसैगरि विदेशी विद्यार्थी नेपालमा पढ्न आउनु नेपाली अर्थतन्त्रको लागि पनि राम्रो हो । तर, सरकारका अव्यावहारिक नीतिले नेपालभित्रका मेडिकल कलेज बन्द हुने अनि सीमा पारिका कलेज चल्ने स्थिति बनाउन मद्दत गर्यो ।

यसैगरि, सरकारको अस्पष्ट शिक्षा नीतिले निजी विद्यालयका लगानी पनि संकटमा परेका छन् । सरकारले नीति बनाउने हो तर नीति बनाउँदा मुलुकको हितमा बनाउनु पर्ने ठाउँमा नेपाली विद्यार्थीले पञ्चायतककालमा झैं विदेश पढ्न जानु पर्ने परिस्थिति ल्याउँदा सरकार अग्रगमनमा नभइ पश्चगमनतिर लागेको स्पष्ट देखिन्छ । अनि कसरी नेपालको निजी क्षेत्रमा आत्मविश्वास बढ्छ?

प्रधानमन्त्री हेटौंडा कपडा उद्योग तथा विरगन्ज चीनी कारखाना सेनालाई दिएर नेपालमा औद्योगिकीकरणको नयाँ अध्याय सुरु गर्न चाहन्छन् । सायद उनलाई पाकिस्तान र भारतको फरक परिस्थितका बारेमा उनका स्वदेश तथा विदेशमा ज्ञान आर्जेका अनि नागरिकका करबाट तलब खाएका थरि थरिका सल्लाहकारले बताउन भ्याएकै छैनन् होला ।

सरकारले उद्योग चलाउने होइन, सरकारले नीति बनाउने हो र निजी क्षेत्रले व्यवासाय गर्ने हो भन्ने चीनलगायत विश्वमा स्थापित र परीक्षित सामान्य अर्थशास्त्रीय चेतलाई चुनौती दिँदा नेपालमा उद्यम र उद्यमशीलता मासिँदै गएको छ ।

त्यसैले सेनालाई कल कारखाना संचालन गर्न दिने, सामाजिक सञ्जाल नियन्त्रण गर्ने र खुला समाजको दायरा खुम्चाउने क्रान्तिकारी कदमले प्रजातन्त्र नै खतरामा पार्न संघीय गणतन्त्रका लागि भनेर लडेका प्रधानमन्त्रीलाई सुहाउँदैन ।

सन् १९९० दशकमा आएको विश्वव्यापी उदारीकरणको लहरलाई तत्कालीन नेपाली कांग्रेसको सरकारले एक चरणमा उपयोग गर्यो । निश्चय नै त्यसका केहि कमजोरी र समस्याहरु रहे । तर त्यसका कमजोरी र समस्याबाट सिकेर दोस्रो चरणको आर्थिक सुधारलाई अगाडि बढाउन छोडेर सरकारले आफैं उद्योग चलाउने, सेनालाई उद्योग चलाउन दिने जस्ता पपुलिस्ट कामले नेपालको अर्थतन्त्र उँभो लाग्दैन ।

राज्यको काम कानुन बनाउने र नियम कानुनको परिपालना गराउने हो । दोषी भए कानुनअनुरुप कारबाही गर्ने हो । सरकार आफैं कानुन बनाउने अनि आफैंले पसल पनि चलाउने युगबाट आज विश्व धेरै अगाडि बढिसकेको छ ।

अमेरिकी धनाढ्य एलेन मस्कको कम्पनी स्पेश एक्सले सन् २०२२मा लगभग हरेक छ दिनमा एउटा रकेटको दरले कुल ६१ वटा रकेट प्रक्षेपण गरेछ । नेपाल सरकार कडाइका साथ नियमन गर्न छोडेर अझै वस्तु तथा सेवा उत्पादन गरेर बिक्री गर्ने पसल चलाउन खोज्छ ।

त्यसैले नेपालले राजनीतिक चालबाजी होइन, गम्भीर आर्थिक रुपान्तरण खोजेको छ । तत्कालीन राजा महेन्द्रका पालाका कानुन बोकेर संघीय गणतन्त्र चलाउँछु भन्नु आजको युगमा टाइपराइटरले एआईसँग प्रतिस्पर्धा गर्छु भन्नु उस्तै हो ।

तर, सरकारलाई आफ्नो कुर्सी न्यानो भए पुग्छ, मुलुकलाई अग्रगमनमा लान बाधक ऐन कानुन संशोधन गर्नु वा संघीयताका लागि कानुन बनाउनु प्राथमिकतामा पर्दैन । त्यसैले नेपाली समाजले आत्मविश्वास गुमाउँदै छ ।

विश्व तीव्र आर्थिक, सामाजिक विकासका लागि राज्यको कार्यक्षेत्र र भूमिका घटाउने र निजी क्षेत्रको भूमिका बढाउने बाटोमा छ। तर, संघीय गणतन्त्र नेपालको संघीय सरकार र कर्मचारीतन्त्र मुलुकलाई आफ्नो मुठ्ठीमा कस्न चाहन्छ ।

विगतका ६ दशकमा नेपाली अर्थतन्त्रको संरचनामा पनि परिवर्तन आइसकेको छ । नवपरिवर्तनले आर्थिकमात्र नभएर सामाजिक जीवनमा ठूलो परिवर्तन ल्याएको छ । आज कर्णालीका वृद्ध बाबु मोबाइलमार्फत अमोरिकामा छोराको अनुहार हेर्दै ‘कुडा’ गर्छन् ।

तर सरकार भन्छ, अझैं काठमाडौंको मुख ताक, काठमाडौं उठे उठ, बसे बस ! अनि कसरी नेपाली समाजको आत्मविश्वास बढ्छ ?

सोभियतकालीन सोचको उपज राष्ट्रिय योजना आयोगले कर्णालीको योजना बनाउँदा विकास हुँदो रहेनछ भनेर बुझ्न विगतका दशकहरुका आर्थिक विकासका आंकडा र तथ्य बग्रेल्ती छन् तर त्यसलाई खारेज गरिन्न । अनावश्यक संस्था, आयोग र मन्त्रालय घटाएर चुस्त सरकार बनाउन ढिला गरिएका कारण राज्यको स्रोत सबै अनुत्पादक भएका छन् ।

सीमित स्रोत तथा साधन भएपछि त्यसलाई बढीभन्दा बढी उत्पादनमुलक र प्रतिफल आउने स्थानमा खर्च गर्नु बुद्धिमानी हुन्छ । तर, आफ्ना राजनीतिक फाइदाका लागि अनुत्पादक ठाउँमा खर्च गर्दा आज नेपाल ऋण तिर्न पनि ऋण लिनु पर्ने ठाउँमा पुगेको छ ।

विश्वका विभिन्न मुलुकले मात्र नभएर आफनै व्यक्तिगत लगानीमा नै एलेन मस्कजस्ता व्यवसायीले पनि अन्तरिक्षमा पर्यटनको संभावना खोज्दै गर्दा राणाकालमा झैं जागिर खान बालकोट, बूढानीलकण्ठ, खुमलटार, बालुवाटार र सिंहदरबार धाउन परेपछि नेपाली समाजको आत्मविश्वास कसरी बढ्छ ?

समाजको आत्मविश्वास गुमेपछि उद्योगी व्यवसायीलगायत हरेक पेशा व्यवसायको आत्मविश्वास कसरी बढ्छ ? 

यदि सरकारले नागरिकमा आत्मविश्वास जगाउन सक्दैन भने, सरकार किन चाहियो ?

(https://clickmandu.com/2024/02/292437.html)