If I were new Prime Minister of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal……………………….
Shree Kumar Maharjan, 7 October 2015
It gives me great pleasure, honor and proud to be the first Prime Minister of Democratic Republic of Nepal. The country has recently entered into new phase of democratic revolution in its history after official endorsement as Democratic Republic Nepal by the Constitution Assembly (CA) on 20 September 2015. This is the biggest victory for the Nepalese living in Nepal and abroad as it’s the first time in Nepalese history that the Constitution is prepared by the people in democratic and inclusive manner.
As you know, Nepal has 7 identified states in the constitution despite some political parties and groups especially in the Terai region, are not satisfied in demarcation of these states. They are, at the moment, demonstrating on the streets demanding for changes in the constitution. Being a Prime Minister, I would like to ensure that their valid demands will be reviewed and integrated in the constitution. Therefore, I would like to request all the leaders in the region for peaceful dialogue and negotiations in democratic way, which is the best option to resolve the issues. All the previous agreements with all the political parties and groups including indigenous and ethnic minorities such as Tharus, Madhesis, Newars, Sherpas, Limbus, Tamangs shall be reviewed, improved and integrated in the constitution under my leadership, as there are rooms to improve the constitution on periodic basis. We shouldn’t forget we have reached here after 70 years of struggles in Nepalese politics and it’s possible only through peaceful dialogues and trusty collaborations among all major political parties. I believe this collaborations among the parties will continue in future as well.
We are now entering to the new era of democratic revolution in the history, as the constitution is endorsed by more than 90% of Constitution Assembly members. In fact, it is one of the great and successful examples of Democratic process in the world. Now, we need to concentrate on economic revolution and development of the country. Within an area of 147,181 sq. km, we have the population of approximately 28 million, which is, in fact, big resources for the country’s economic revolution and development. We have committed, skilled and unskilled, competent and hard-working human resources that will lead for country’s overall development and will become one of the prosperous and peaceful country in the world within a decade. We only need to effectively mobilize and manage the available resources including human skills and knowledge. As you know, there are many evidences that Nepalese are leading medical, industry and education fields with great success in different developed world. We could certainly do that within the national boundary, therefore, none from Nepal need to go abroad for education, employment and health care in future. Instead, I am envisioning that many foreigners will come to Nepal for education, health, employment and other services.
Furthermore, as you all know, Nepal is world’s 93rd largest country by area, located in between China and India. These two Giant countries in the world have rapid economic growth and development in recent decades. Therefore, we have opportunity to catch up easily with their economic growth and development by producing unique products and services. At the same time, these two countries are huge in terms of area and population, which means our unique products and services could be targeted to them and rest of the world in addition. If we manage our huge and potential resources such as mountains, rivers, waters and lands for agriculture, forestry and other natural resources for industries, tourism and services in effective manner, the economic revolution, we aspire for, is not so far from us.
In Nepalese history, there were many political changes from Monarchy system to Rana Prime Ministers period (104 years), to civil wars (during Maoist insurgency period for 10-12 years) to modern new democratic republic Nepal, which also changed the political, socio-economic and administrative management systems in the country. In the monarch system, King had the power and authority that moved to Rana Prime Ministers in the Rana period. Now, it comes to the Prime Minister, elected by the members of the Constitution Assembly trusted by the people, since there is no new election and elected Prime Minister after the official endorsement of the new constitution – 2015.
We have additional pressures of recovery and rebuilding Nepal after the devastating earthquakes in April and May 2015. It’s not the responsibility of single party or institution. It’s the responsibility of whole nation. We all need to join hands together to effectively use the available resources to rebuild Nepal. I would like to acknowledge and appreciate all the supports provided by the individuals, organizations and nations in search, rescue and recovery of the country for this devastating earthquakes. Hope such devastation won’t occurred in any places in future. We need to develop our nation resistant to such strokes and quakes in future.
The recent demonstrations in Terai and associated unofficial blockade from India need to be resolve immediately, as the situation is becoming worst and worst day-by-day. Within a week or so, nation’s main festival “Dashain and Tihar” is knocking the doors. Peoples will suffer for day-to-day consumables and utilities in the festive season. We should see the alternative to resolve the issue and negotiate with India and drag the attention of international communities to resolve the issue. I would like to immediately form the ministerial committee compose of foreign minister and finance minister to have dialogue with Indian and Chinese government for possible ways to sort this issue as soon as possible. We should not rely only on India for all the daily consumable goods and petroleum. We need to be self-sufficient and self-sustain on these requirements, which means we need to find the resources within Nepal and utilize it for development.
Being a new Prime Minister, my first duty and priority is to form a cabinet with competent and qualified ministers, assistant ministers and chief ministers of the states. It’s very important to set up the competent and qualified cabinet team with the experts in the specific fields for effective implementation of the constitution. Since the law doesn’t limit the number of ministers, and it depends on the political needs, I would rather form a small and strong cabinet mainly in major and important ministries for the initial 3 months that will be expanded later. The cabinet shall prioritize concentrate on effective implementation of the newly approved constitution at the moment. In addition, my initial priorities for first 100 days shall be:
l Formation of “Multi-party Peaceful Dialogue Committee” to sort out the demonstrations in the Terai. The committee will have mandate to negotiate the demands of the parties and groups in the region. The committee shall also consult the views and observations of the citizens, organizations and other groups in the region.
l Appoint the qualified and competent state ministers and provide full authority to identify and promote of specific economic prosperity zones within the states such as agricultural zones, tourism and industry zones that will lead to economic revolution of the country. In the process, private, public and civic organizations including research and academic organizations will be involved.
l Orient National Planning Council (NPC) and National Development Council (NDC) to evaluate the development plans and provide planning directives based on resources in the regions and states.
l Liaise and negotiate with neighbours (India and China) and other big countries with rapid economic growth, fair trade and foreign investment in Nepal.
l Approach and attract businesses and private sectors within the country and abroad (both Nepali citizens, Non Residence Nepalese - NRN and foreigners) for investment in Nepal. If necessary create/amend favorable policies and laws in consultation with the cabinet that is possible for the benefit and prosperity of the country and nationalism.
l Change the system of permanent nature of staff in the government offices, which make the government staff ineffective and lethargic. If there is hire and fire system in the government offices, the most competent, creative and efficient staffs will remain in the government offices.
l Execute public private partnership (PPP) programs effectively from grass root to national level with specific roles and responsibilities of each partners
l Form multi-stakeholders and multi-ministerial forum for proper and effective monitoring and evaluation of NPC, NDC and implementation of cabinet decisions
l Lead cabinet in formulating and deciding government policies and laws including taxation policy and policies and laws for the states.
JANANI JANMABHUMISCHA SWORGADAPI GARIYASI - 'Mother and Motherland are higher than Heaven'.
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