Opinion | Will the election deliver federalism?
Summary
Provinces in Nepal struggle with limited fiscal resources and policing authority despite constitutional recognition, with political parties offering various promises ahead of the election to strengthen federalism.
Key Points
- Provinces in Nepal lack adequate fiscal resources ('sanduk') and full police authority ('banduk'), limiting their operational control despite constitutional provisions.
- Chief Ministers highlight persistent issues of fiscal imbalance, centralised control over civil servants, and delayed federal laws, affecting governance effectiveness.
- Political parties present differing commitments on federalism reforms, with Congress's manifesto offering the most detailed plans on devolving powers and improving coordination.
- Completion of federalism depends not only on election outcomes but on political will to devolve authority, administrative reforms, and respecting constitutional boundaries.
