Constitutional imperatives are foundation of collaboration and recovery

Kathmandu, Sept 22: Nepal observed the Constitution Day on Ashoj 3 (September 19) amidst dismal national atmosphere owing to recent disaster that took a huge toll on human lives and property.
The Constitution Day commemorates the people’s struggles, those losing lives for the sake of republic state and the national charter, and celebration of the rights and freedoms the constitution has guaranteed.
Irrespective of multiple tragedies including Covid-19 pandemic and recent August 26 floods disaster that left Nepalis in agony, the Constitution Day carries a paramount value and deserves celebration, for it is the day Nepal’s political system was re-written as per people’s aspiration. It not only abolished the centuries-old monarchy but also the unitary system. Importantly, it is the political document, paying special attention to the marginalized people, women, Dalit, Muslim and indigenous community. The constitution also officially ended the conflict though then rebellion forces had already come to peace process early in 2006.
The very preamble of the constitution promulgated on September 20, 2015 stated the objective/aspiration as ‘to fulfil the aspirations for sustainable peace, good governance, development and prosperity’. Similarly, it is also the supreme law that shows Nepal’s resolution to make ‘an egalitarian society’ where ‘proportional inclusion and participatory principles’ act as foundations and pave way for ‘economic equality, prosperity and social justice’. These terms in deed are the mantra to guide the nation’s journey to development and happiness. However, adherence to imperatives with coordination and consensus are prerequisites also in the wake of present adversity.
The adversity posed by the August 26 disaster has made us work seriously to build trust, ignite hope, maintain unity, forge robust collaboration and drive rehabilitation and recovery works, thereby bringing back on track the national pace for good governance, growth and prosperity.
Good governance: Everyday aspiration
The good governance is both the everyday need and long-time aspiration of Nepali people. The people want to see and feel good governance. It is one of the foundational pillars of overall development. In his remarks made on the occasion of the Constitution Day, President Ramchandra Paudel said, “To connect political change to citizens’ lives, we need good governance and outstanding service delivery in practice.” It is a reminder to the government and political parties to maintain public confidence and ensure services accordingly. Rule of law and accountability equally deserve attention in this connection. Once the services are accessed quickly, with minimum cost and in a hassle-free manner, people’s trust is evidently increased in the government.
The present government has built upon the foundation of Gen Z movement occurred on Sept 8-9 last year. The movement was largely for the good governance. The government therefore bears further responsibilities to advance good governance, and journey for prosperity and development to which the previous governments had derailed.
Apart from the ruling parties and the government, those in public offices and public institutions hold more responsibilities to facilitate in delivering as per constitutional imperatives. It is every citizen’s duty to protect and promote constitution. Adherence to constitutional values helps create atmosphere for the good governance and unobstructed exercise of the constitutional rights.
The recent disaster has further reinforced the urgency to heed constitutional provisions. For example, the fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution bear much significance. The children- even orphaned ones, elderly people, sick persons, women- lactating mother and expecting mother- are hit hard by the floods who need additional attention and care. Providing special attention to them comes under the protection of their fundamental rights.
In his address to a public function organized at Tundikhel, Kathmandu to observe the Constitution Day on September 19, Prime Minister Balendra Shah pledged a complete adherence to constitution and its enforcement. Government’s every endeavour, as the PM asserted, pays heed to people’s aspirations and demand for ‘good governance, development, prosperity and social justice’.
Remove headwinds to unlock growth
It is worrying that Nepal’s journey to economic progress has been hit hard repeatedly. Whether it was a decade-long armed insurgency, the 2015 Gorkha earthquake, Covid-19 pandemic, political protests or multiple disasters including the August 26 floods to mention few in recent history, these have served as headwinds to slow growth, destabilize policy and derail development works. For example, in 2020, the Covid-19 had rendered Nepal’s economic growth to minus (-0.2). The pandemic had caused economic activities stand still, for the first priority we had then was protecting life. Gorkha Earthquake had also badly impacted over 20 districts, where 14 suffered worst.
As the government was forwarding economic activities and speeding up a drive for good governance, the floods disaster struck the nation from Nepal-China border, claiming over 1,400 lives, while number of those reported missing has gone 5,000. The Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment report prepared by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) pointed out the need for 4.7 billion US Dollars for post-disaster reconstruction. The government of near two-thirds majority had brought annual budget with the target of 7 percent annual growth. However, the recent disaster is highly likely to dent the ambition.
The country is in need of hefty budget to work for citizen’s aspiration as reflected in the constitution, the Gen Z movement and reconstruction works necessitated after the August 26 disaster. It is time to remove headwinds with caution and generate funds.
Together, the role of tourism, industry and agriculture should be bolstered to ensure national growth. Disaster can also be changed into a moment of policy window so that endeavours go smoothly for rescuing industries, tourism and overall economy.
Collaboration for reconstruction
The constitution has finely advocated for coexistence, coordination and cooperation among three tiers of government. The schedules of the constitution have further listed the areas of works/rights- concurrent and exclusive. The government in three layers can be heedful of the provisions and forwarded the rehabilitation and reconstruction drives accordingly. As the local levels are the closest governments to people, they know better the local problems and priorities, to which the federal and provincial governments can support financially, technically and in policy levels.
The issues ranging from flood-hit people’s emergency needs such as food, shelter, schooling to children to their resettlements require utmost discussion, cooperation and collaboration among the governments. Once the constitutional imperatives of coordination, coexistence and cooperation are adhered, the post-disaster reconstruction and recovery go smoothly and in unison, which further helps retain public trust in government and forge collective resilience.

Disaster should not remain a tragedy to mourn for long but be changed into the time to create hope among all- general people, workers, industrialists, policy makers, investors and floods survivors- and advance togetherness for building a better and resilient nation. (Narayan Ghimire/RSS)