Nepalese quest for good governance is still an elusive dream
Out of frustration, we often hear people say Nepal will always remain an underdeveloped country until a miracle happens. We also hear people lamenting that our politicians have been dancing to the tune of external actors with diabolic agendas. This clearly implies that there exists a profound sense of unhappiness and hopelessness among us. The debatable question is why we are unable to progress economically despite having all the apparatus at our disposal. Here, I will provide close to perfect answer. Historically, Nepal was ruled by monarchs for over two hundred years. After several agitations, the monarchy was abolished and the country was ushered into a republican setup with vested power over people. This was a historic achievement paving the avenues for lasting peace and sustainable development. But even more than a decade after we transformed politically, good governance remains a paper tiger.
Nepal, despite its natural beauty and cultural richness, grapples with issues like corruption, political instability, and social unrest. It ranks low on international corruption perception indices, and frequent changes in government have left many Nepalis disheartened with their leaders. Law and order concerns persist, and the justice system often falls short of delivering timely and fair outcomes. However, amidst these challenges, Nepal has made significant strides in various areas. Conservation efforts have led to the tripling of the tiger population, showcasing a commitment to preserving biodiversity. Maternal and child mortality rates have been reduced, reflecting progress in healthcare and development.
The global experience shows that a healthy and cooperative relationship between politicians and bureaucrats is crucial for effective governance. Logically speaking, the vibrant bureaucratpoliticians relationship is the foundation of effective governance. Take the example of the relationship between bureaucrats and politicians in our immediate neighbor India. Despite being endowed with competent members in his government, Modi picked former foreign secretary Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to lead the Ministry of External Affairs. The failure of this cooperation leads to inefficiency, delays and a lack of progress. The poor relationship between politicians and bureaucrats is symptomatic of the lack of leadership and accountability besides increased nepotism and corruption within the system. Nepal is the best example of favoritism and nepotism when it comes to ministerial berths.
The credibility of politicians and bureaucrats is closely linked to their ability to connect with the people they serve. When politicians actively engage with the public, listen to their stories, and integrate their perspectives into policymaking, they earn trust and credibility. This trust is established through accountability, strong performance, and a track record of fulfilling promises.
In Nepal, many projects are carried out without a comprehensive understanding of the local context, including the geographical features, residents’ requirements and the environment. Policies are formulated and put into action without thorough consideration of their effects on people's lives. History provides valuable lessons about the consequences of failing to understand the implications of one's actions. The Melamchi Water Project is representative of such poor governance. The project was launched to alleviate the chronic water shortage in Kathmandu Valley on a sustainable, long-term basis, and to improve the health and well-being of its inhabitants in 1998. However, the project was fraught with poor governance. The result is time overrun and costs overrun burdening the state coffer. This story illustrates the importance of considering the unique circumstances and challenges of projects rather than relying solely on past knowledge.
Poor governance is not just limited to development projects aimed at the welfare of the people. The hospital both private and public equally offers an example of poor governance. Just recently, a patient died allegedly due to the negligence of health workers in a private hospital in Itahari of Sunsari District, Koshi Province. The deceased, family alleged that the patient died due to an overdose of medicine. In the wake of the patient’s death as a result of negligence, irked relatives gheraoed the hospital demanding stringent action against the doctors involved. Poor governance has been the major challenge facing Nepal at present. It gives rise to corruption affecting state coffers. While politicians have been pledging to ensure good governance in every sector, it has been limited with the paper. From development projects, and hospitals to educational institutions, poor governance is nothing unusual in Nepal.
It is a fact that it is essential to involve the people directly affected by the effects of policies in policymaking. It is also a universal truth that projects should be needbased. To the contrary, we conceptualized the project without understanding the ground realities and implementing them. Consequently, the project turned out to be a failure. We do not need to make lofty promises to ensure good governance. Few steps will deliver tangible results. For instance, listening to local stories, experiences and concerns is paramount. Unfortunately, in Nepal, this often goes overlooked. Policymakers tend to rely on their own biased knowledge, leading to policies that may not address the needs and concerns of the local population. Contrastingly, countries like the United States have learned from their history and understand the value of engaging with their citizens. This approach has been instrumental in its becoming a developed nation and a global power. Nepal should consider adopting a similar model to foster progress.
The present politicians have been blaming former kings for poor governance hindering the rapid development and economic growth of the country. Now, with the ouster of monarchy, the ball is in the court of the politicians to ensure good governance and lay the foundation for much-needed economic growth and sustainable development. We hope that good governance becomes our hallmark.