Power centralisation impeding provincial development: CMs

By Shashidhar Parajuli, Biratnagar, Oct. 14: The Chief Ministers of the provinces have agreed that provincial governments are being weakened economically and administratively due to the failure to enact necessary laws and grant them the powers guaranteed by the Constitution.

At the Inter-Provincial Chief Ministers’ Conference, which began in Biratnagar on Tuesday, the Chief Ministers expressed their collective dissatisfaction, saying the federal government’s reluctance to devolve powers had hampered provincial development and public service delivery.

They also announced plans to approach the federal government collectively, with representatives from all seven provinces visiting Kathmandu to seek a transfer of powers and demonstrate why such devolution 

is necessary.

Addressing the inaugural session, Koshi Province Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki, the host of the conference, said provinces were the true embodiment of federalism and criticised what he described as a deliberate attempt to portray them as a ‘white elephant’.

Presenting figures showing that more than 95 per cent of the country’s total recurrent expenditure was borne by the federal and local governments, he said provincial expenditure accounted for only a little over 4 per cent.

“Ironically, other levels of government account for 95 per cent of expenditure, yet provinces bear most of the blame,” he said.

Stating that provincial powers had been left as unclear as if viewed through colour-blind eyes, Karki said it was unfortunate that demands for civil service, police, education and health legislation, first raised in 2018, had yet to be addressed. He said the Chief Ministers of all seven provinces would now travel to Kathmandu to hold decisive discussions with the Prime Minister rather than merely 

voice their grievances.

Gandaki Province Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey accused the top leaders of major political parties, including successive Prime Ministers, of lacking sincerity in implementing federalism.

He said the federal government expected results from provinces without granting them the necessary powers and legal frameworks.

“Our hands and feet are tied, yet we are told to run. When we fail to run, we ironically have to hear comments from Prime Ministers themselves that we cannot dance and are blaming the crooked courtyard,” he said.