Federalism has no option: PM Dahal

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said there was no option but to move ahead by facing the challenges of federalism.

Addressing the concluding session of the Inter-Province Chief Ministers Meeting, 2080 in Pokhara on Friday, PM Dahal said, "Some argue that the country does not need a province, but it is illogical and unscientific. We adopted federalism to reach public service at people's doorstep." He, however, admitted that there are problems, which must be solved.

The PM made it clear that the constitution has finally allocated the rights to three layers of government. Once the uniformity in political level to view federalism is ensured, it would speed up making of necessary laws, and acts, PM Dahal hoped, adding efforts were underway to finalize federal civil service act, federal education act, and federal province act.

"We are presenting a federal civil service bill in parliament soon. This very session of the parliament will finalize the bill," he reiterated. PM Dahal also vowed to seriously discuss the common paper produced by the meeting of the Inter-Province Chief Ministers.

He further argued that the common paper has further enabled me to discuss the issues vibrantly.

The paper was prepared in the meeting based on the papers presented by all seven Chief Ministers. It was handed over to PM Dahal.

In the paper, the Chief Ministers have demanded the federal government that it address the legal, policy and practical issues to enforce federalism effectively.