NPC irrelevant, restructure it: Experts

As the government is mulling to make fresh appointments at the National Planning Commission (NPC), experts have said that the NPC is irrelevant in Nepal at present context.

Speaking at an interaction in the capital, they also suggested the government to restructure the commission as per the changing political context.

"At a time when the government has to concentrate on arms management, hold elections to a Constituent Assembly and draft a new constitution, there is no need to form a new NPC and draft the 11th five-year plan," they added.

Former vice-chairman of the NPC and leader of ruling Nepali Congress (Democratic) Dr Narayan Khadka said that fresh appointments at the NPC won't be enough as there is a need for restructuring the NPC.

"A centralised body like the NPC is irrelevant at a time when the country is heading for a federal system," he added.

Former member of NPC, economist Dr Raghav Dhwaj Panta said that when the whole political system was on the verge of transformation, when the state was being restructured, one should not carry on with the old NPC, which remained inactive in many cases.

However, Dr Shankar Sharma, another former vice-chairman of the NPC, said, "Rather than opting for a new institution and criticising the existing NPC, time has come for the country to explore ways through which goals can be achieved." nepalnews.com pb Aug 17 06