Chief Minister Pandey Highlights Federalism Challenges in Nepal
Summary
Gandaki Province Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey says Nepal’s provincial governments remain powerless despite federalism, citing missing laws, weak employee management, land acquisition hurdles and the lack of provincial police. He urges a rethink of the system unless the center fully delegates constitutional powers to the provinces.
Key Points
- Gandaki Province Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey says provinces still cannot fully exercise the powers guaranteed by Nepal’s constitution because key federal laws and structures remain centralized.
- He cites major gaps in the Federal Civil Service Act, Education Act, Police Act, Forest Act and Land Acquisition Act, which he says are blocking provincial work and revenue collection.
- Pandey says provinces face severe land acquisition and employee management problems, making it difficult to build infrastructure, run ministries and implement projects.
- He argues that political parties also remain overly centralized and says provincial leaders need more authority under a genuinely federal system.
