Kathmandu. Nepali Congress central member Dr Narayan Khadka represents udayapur constituency-1 in the House of Representatives. Khadka, who was born in Bhojpur on April 1, 2005, has been active in Nepali Congress politics since 2023 BS. He has been continuously winning elections from Udayapur in 2064, 2070, 2074 and 2079 BS. Leader Khadka, who served as vice-chairman of the National Planning Commission in 2057 BS, holds a PhD in economics.
He became the Minister for Urban Development in 2070 BS and Minister for Foreign Affairs in 2078 BS. Rss correspondent Sushil Darnal’s interview with Lawmaker Khadka on contemporary issues including parliamentary practice, constitution implementation and amendment, education system, foreign policy and economic development of
the country.
What are you busy with these days?
I don’t know that much right now. The eye is being treated. However, I have been participating in parliamentary activities as much as possible. Work is also going on in the party’s work.
How have you analysed parliamentary practice?
Parliamentary practice is going well. However, we MPs are in a dual role. We have to take forward the development work along with law making. The situation in the country has given us a double role. According to the country’s environment, lawmakers do not just make laws. It’s not just development. These two things have to be taken together. People are looking for development rather than law. They are looking for jobs. If I go to the people saying that I have made a law, then people will not be interested. The parliamentary practice of developed countries cannot be compared with the parliamentary practice of our country. Other countries have a long parliamentary history. They are disciplined. They work by making a schedule. Foreign lawmakers are more focused on law-making.
There are allegations of delay in the formulation of the law, what is this?
I don’t think it’s too late. The government is presenting bills in every session. The delay may have been due to the lengthy law-making process. A bill will be brought after completing a long process after discussing with parliament, parliamentary committees and experts. The bill should be discussed clause-wise. It seems that the delay in the formulation of the law is also due to more disruption of the House. In particular, the issue of local level rights has to be implemented. There is also the issue of coordination of the three-tier government. The House is not functioning well. Parliament has been disrupted due to various reasons. How can parliamentary practice be better if one party disrupts the House for months? How do laws related to federalism get fulfilled?
What is your opinion on the implementation of the Constitution?
In this ten-year period, the constitution has been implemented as much as it should have. How will all the clauses be implemented at the same time? The Constitution is about gradual implementation. Secondly, necessary resources are also needed to implement the constitution. For that, the economic condition of the country should also be looked at. However, much-needed laws have already been enacted. Some are in the process of becoming.
How does the current electoral system feel?
At present, according to the electoral system, there is no possibility of any party getting a majority due to the proportional system. If no party has a majority, the coalition government becomes unstable. No government has been able to function for more than 9-10 months. Earlier, the government had got the opportunity to work for two to three years when the Nepal Communist Party (UML) and CPN (Maoist Center) merged. It also did not work properly. Therefore, the current election system should be amended.
What should be done to further strengthen federalism?
There is also a debate about federalism. Some parties have also said that federalism should be reconsidered. Many are raising questions about the state government. Madhes-based parties, in particular, have been questioning the structure of the province. There is also the issue of irregularities in the state. There has also been talk of amendment regarding the size of the province level, the size of the lawmakers and the size of the ministry. There is also talk of the service facilities of the province chief. It is natural for these issues to arise when the country’s resources are weak. How does the country run by paying salaries to people’s representatives and employees by asking for loans from foreigners all the time? But in my opinion, the provincial government is an important part of federalism.
What do you think of the three-tier government?
First of all, there needs to be a serious debate on whether a three-tier government is needed or not. This should be taken seriously by all political parties. Parties should not carry arrogance. We have to work together for the economic development of the country. Expenditure in the name of federalism should be cut. Now, there is a need for a serious debate for the welfare of the country and its people. There is a need to debate how to take federalism before strengthening it. Only then will the law come up. It’s not just a law. Where is the root of the problem? It can only be solved by finding out.
What should be done to make the country financially self-reliant?
Our political leadership has been flawed in developing the country economically. There is a lack of patriotism among the leaders. There is rampant corruption. Therefore, the government and party leaders should review the economic situation of the country once again. We are currently importing agricultural products worth Rs 400 billion. Maize worth Rs 15.5 billion is imported. We are only buying rice worth Rs 40-45 billion. Being self-sufficient in food is linked to economic sovereignty. No matter how strong the political system is, if the economic system is not strong, then the overall development of the country cannot take place. First of all, we have to be self-reliant in agriculture. Investment in agriculture should be increased.
What can be done to prevent youth migration?
300,000-400,000 youths have migrated abroad every year. The fields of the village are barren. Right now, we are in a serious financial situation. First of all, we have to be self-sufficient in food. Employment can be created through electricity generation. The country’s economy will also be strengthened if the youth can be given employment in the country. If petrol and gas can be replaced by becoming self-sufficient in electricity, the country can be made economically strong. Employment for youth can also be given in the country.
What is your suggestion to the current government?
I think we have not been able to work in a way that directly benefits the people. The government should first provide employment to the people. We need to reduce the price rise in the daily consumption of the people. Justice services should be made free, fast and accessible. At present, there are about 500,000 cases pending in the Supreme Court. Not giving timely justice to the people is also an injustice. Many people are suffering due to lack of justice. There is a culture of suffering in service delivery. People should be served at a fast pace using information, communication and technology. Therefore, service should be provided without taking a single penny from the public. The government should give people a sense of service. You have to feel like a government. The government doesn’t ask people what they want. People themselves should be aware. The government should at least be able to provide essential services to the people easily.
What should be the education system of Nepal?
There should be an education system that produces self-employed and capable human resources according to the time and circumstances. We have not been able to make progress in education in 173/174 years since Janga Bahadur Rana opened the Durbar School in 1853. Where has the situation reached other countries that have run schools, libraries and educational institutions after Nepal? But the state of our education is still very weak and pathetic. The students we produce should have an education system that sees their future in the country. At present, there are about 36,000 schools, 286,000 teachers and 731,000 students. As a result, there is a need for a radical change in the education system.
You are also a former Foreign Minister, what should be the country’s foreign policy?
there should be a policy to promote national interest keeping in mind the sovereignty, national integrity, security of the country. There should be a policy to promote the economic interest of the country. Close and balanced relations with neighbours and other countries should be maintained. Diplomatic relations with all countries should be expanded. We should maintain cordial, close, friendly and balanced relations with all.
What is your message to the public?
It cannot be said that the government has not done anything. If we look at the infrastructure alone, a lot of development has taken place. Vehicles, electricity and drinking water have reached every household. Health posts have been set up. But the people should also put pressure on the government to develop more. The party which does not work for the people should be displaced. Awareness has also come among the people. We have to serve the people. rss
प्रतिक्रिया दिनुहोस्