Nepalma Sanghiya Sashan Pranali
(Federal System in Nepal)
By: Govinda Raj Joshi, Member Nepali Congress Central Working Committee
Price: Free Distribution
Pages: 60
Published by: Nepali Congress, Phone: 4419578, grjoshi15@gmail.com
On Federalism
Nepali Congress leader Govinda Raj Joshi proposes a federal structure to Nepal
By A CORRESPONDENT
Although federalism was nobody's agenda when political parties agreed to launch the Janandolan II, it surfaced suddenly following the promulgation of Interim Constitution in January 2006. Maoists were the first party which raised the question of ethnic federalism to Nepal but it was the Madhesi Agitation of January 2007 that legitimized federalism in Nepal.
Following the agreement with Madhesi parties, the government amended the interim constitution accepting federalism as a model for the future rule in Nepal. Since the first amendment of the interim constitution, Nepal constitutionally entered into the debate of federalism.
With a country of 28 million people and lowest per capita income, the challenges for Nepal's federalism will be fiscal but nobody has any time to listen to it. Even if Nepal is carved into several federal structures; it will continue to faces the financial matter and question of devolution of power.
At a time when various political parties, ethnic groups, linguistic and regional groups have been pressing their own demands for the structure of federalism, Nepali Congress leader and former minister Govinda Raj Joshi has come up with new proposed for federal structure to Nepal.
As the largest and oldest party, Nepali Congress is yet to propose its point of view on federal structure, Congress central committee member Joshi presented his own paper on federal structure of Nepal. Presented at the meeting of Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party, Joshi was first to put forth the document for official recognition. Although Nepali Congress is yet to make official proposal on federal structure of Nepal, Joshi's proposal for federalism is now in the debate all over the country.
Analyzing Nepal's total population, geographical regions, ethnic and linguistic groups and settlements, Joshi proposes to divide Nepal into six federal structures. Joshi argues that every country has its own unique federal structures and power sharing. Among roughly 25 federal countries in the world, there are various kinds of federalism and their power sharing ways.
Joshi holds the view that major challenges for Nepal is how to maintain unity among ethnic and linguistic diversity in a diverse geographical state. Maintaining harmony among all the regions and ethnic groups is another important factor when Nepal will be carved into several structures.
"Whatever political parties and leaders say, it is not easy to decide on the federal structure for Nepal," writes Joshi in his book. He cites various propositions presented by different scholars in Nepal like Mahendra Lawati, Dr. Lok Raj Baral and D.B. Gurung. Joshi also cites the views expressed by Dr. Pitamber Sharma and his proposed federal structures.
As a political leader with experience and extensive travels to various parts of Nepal, Joshi propose to carve Nepal into six different federal structures. His division is not vertical from east to west but he proposes north south division of the country. "After reading the books of various scholars and analyzing geographical conditions, ethnic groups, economic structures, linguistic basis and social and religious matters, I propose six federations for Nepal is suitable," said Joshi. "This is the only viable solution for new federal Nepal as the state has almost all infrastructures there including police, judiciary and administrative units to establish as federal units. Similarly, this north south unit has economic viability with the mixes of population," he added.
According to Joshi, the first is Eastern Pradesh which includes 16 districts of eastern region and federal capital in Biratnagar, Morang. With 86 different linguistic groups and 103 ethnic groups, the population of the region will be 41, 46,728.
Madhya Pradesh is another unit which includes 11 districts of central region. With 98 ethnic groups and population of 91, 28,747, the capital of this unit is Janakpur, Dhanusha. Bagmati Pradesh which includes 9 districts including Kathmandu Valley. With 98 ethnic groups, the population of this region is 29, 96,349.
The fourth unit will be known as Gandak Pradesh which includes 13 districts with the population of 36, 44,275 and state capital is in Pokhara.
Western Pradesh is another unit which includes 14 districts with the population of 58, 28,234. Headquarters of this region is Dang (Ghorahi or Tulsipur). Karnali Pradesh includes 11 districts and 90 ethnic groups. The capital of this unit is Doti, Dipayal.
Regional based political parties in plain terai are proposing the whole southern belt as single federal unit but other political parties and ethnic groups have their own proposal. Within terai, Tharus, an indigenous group, have been demanding separate federal units and they are opposing one Madhesh one Pradesh.
Similarly, ethnic groups in eastern and western hills want to have their state on the basis of ethnicity. The debate is going on and everybody has their own agenda and proposal for federalism.
At a time when various parties have come out with various models, Congress leader Joshi propose federal units analyzing all the necessary and viable units like judiciary, police and administrative units.
