The opposition parties and a section of Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal's own party, CPN-UML, have questioned his ownership of the programmes and policies presented in the Parliament citing his “ignorance” of the use of certain phrases, including “people's war” from the Maoist party's dictionary. They, however, said they could endorse the document with certain amendments.
Presenting their separate amendment proposals on the first day of the pre-budget discussion in the House on Tuesday, over a dozen speakers representing Nepali Congress (NC), Sanyukta Lokatantrik Madhesi Morcha and fringe parties demanded to know how the House discussed phrases such as “people's war” featured in government programmes and policies without the prime minister's knowledge. PM Khanal had told his partymen on Monday that he did not know how the phrase popped up in the policy document against his wish. He had cited his ill health for the oversight, which has been criticized from within and outside his party as “shameful” and the “height of irresponsibility”.
NC leader Ram Chadra Poudel, who presented his party's amendment proposal, demanded that the government replace “people's war” with “armed struggles carried out in support of people and democracy.” Poudel demanded changes in six other sections of the state policy to address NC's concerns, particularly on a fully democratic constitution, and the current economic problems such as inflation, liquidity crunch and unemployment.
In general, the opposition parties were one in pointing out lapses in the policy, especially its “failure” to diagnose and address major problems plaguing the country, boost confidence of the ailing banking and industrial sector, spell out a clear foreign policy, and being directionless. Unlike in earlier years, the policy paper remained silent on foreign policy issues, which is also the only flaw pointed out by the UCPN (Maoist) in the document. Maoist leader Amik Shercha registered the amendment proposal demanding that the government adopt a “policy of equal proximity with Indian and China”.
NC leader Ram Sharn Mahat made a sharp and pointed critique of the government paper terming it “tripe”. “This is probably the strangest policy document ever witnessed in the 20-year history of parliamentary democracy in Nepal,” said Mahat. “Despite its 34-page length, it has failed to diagnose the major national problems, let alone introduce any concrete policy to address them.”
Mahat also criticized the government for taking a confused stand on market economy. He said the government has committed to strengthen its ties with international free trade regimes such at WTO, and at the same time adopted measures to give special protection to local industries.
UML leader Shankar Pokhrel said the weakness of the document lay in its failure to chart out a clear policy on completing the peace and statute writing processes, maintaining silence on important foreign policy issues and in being heavily influenced by the Maoists. “It's depressing that the prime minister failed to give continuity to his own party's programmes, including Afno Gaun Afain Banau [lets build our villages ourselves],” said Pokhrel. He, however, said that UML would support the policy despite the weaknesses and is also ready for amendments.
Most of the Madhes-based partied took serious exception to the document not mentioning “Madhes Aandolan” anywhere. They demanded that the government also prioritize construction of infrastructure in Tarai, including the east-west railway line and Hulaki road and ensure group integration of at least 10,000 Madhesi youth in Nepal Army.
Maoist leader Amik Sherchan defended the government proposal and said that the party could use acceptable words in place of “people's war”.
Major changes proposed
Replace 'people war' with 'armed struggle'
Mention Madhes Aandolan in the document
Rethink on policy to address financial crisis
Clarify the foreign policy focus (missing)
Improve the weakening service delivery
Prioritize infrastructure dev. for job creation
Adopt market economy and FDI
All Credits are to Ekantipur news.
