Kathmandu. Shishir Khanal, a central member of the National Independent Party (NISP), is a member of the House of Representatives. Former Minister of Education, Science and Technology, MP Khanal is also the head of the party’s International Relations Department. He was elected from Kathmandu Constituency No. 6 with 14,204 votes. Before joining the NISP, MP Khanal was working as the founder of the ‘Teach for Nepal’ organization, which is working to improve the standard of education in remote areas. Forty-five-year-old Khanal has been playing a leading role in various educational movements. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political economics and a master’s degree in social policy from the University of Bridgeport in the United States. An edited excerpt of an interview with MP Khanal by RSS correspondent Sushil Darnal.
What should be done to stop youth migration?
For almost 25 years, Nepal’s youth has been going abroad. This should be viewed in two ways. First, it seems that young people are going abroad for quality education. This number is increasing day by day. If we look at the statistics of the relevant ministry, it seems that more than one lakh students have issued ‘No Objection Letters’ (NOCs) in the last two to three years. The main complaint of those students is that the quality of higher education in Nepal is not good. There is no education schedule. The results are not available even after two to three years of giving the exam. This is a matter of improving the quality of education related to the university.
There are general things related to the university. For example, there are issues related to deadlines, calendars, exams and results. It seems that we need to improve the university from general issues. Another major reason for youth migration is the employment problem. The economic situation of the country is the only solution to this problem. The main agenda of our party is also the economic development of the country. We have always been struggling for a change in the system. But now political parties should focus on changing the situation and economic transformation. The government needs to make some policy reforms in the fields of agriculture, tourism and technology. The door to foreign investment should also be opened. The industrial sector should also be developed. We should mainly work on policy reforms.
How do you view the recent activities of the monarchists?
Being able to raise your issues peacefully is a principle and belief of democracy. You should be able to say that you will establish the issues you raise through a referendum. The fifth largest party in the country is in favor of the monarchy. But the statements made by major political parties about the monarchy are contrary to democracy. However, while making your demands, you should not engage in chaotic activities. Indulging in violent activities is not right in any way.
What is your suggestion for good governance?
The current big problem of good governance is that the main focus of those who come to power is the buying and selling in various government bodies. Various vested interests have also worked in the appointments of the Nepal Police, the judiciary, various commissions, and even appointments from the National Bank to the Securities and Exchange Board. Recently, a former minister had also said in a parliamentary committee meeting that buying and selling has started in all kinds of appointments, including the Civil Aviation Authority, Nepal Airlines Corporation. The government should make appointments based on ‘merit’. It is suggested to the government to make appointments independently based on ability rather than who gives crores of rupees. This is not the case now, it seems that previous governments have also done this. Good governance will not come until this is removed.
How was your experience in Parliament?
The main function of Parliament is to make laws. But in my experience, it seems that the role of MPs has been overshadowed by the increasing role of the government. The government itself has started introducing bills through ordinances. The expectations I had from Parliament have been met only partially. It seems that the principles of federalism, republicanism, elections, and inclusiveness in the Constitution have been implemented. But it does not seem that the implementation of the Constitution has been implemented at the pace that it should have been. Although the Constitution seems to have progressed structurally, it seems that a lot of work needs to be done in terms of the original intention and spirit. For example, the law that needs to be made to implement federalism has not been made. Even with a two-thirds majority in the government, the law that strengthens the federal structure has not been made. The law that strengthens the local level has not been made. Although the responsibility for education has been given to the local level in the constitution, no education-related law has been enacted. No employee-related law has been enacted either. MPs have been raising current issues of their constituencies and the country as a whole during the zero hour and special hours of the parliament. We have also introduced those issues in the parliament. But the government does not seem to be addressing those issues. The government should implement the issues that provide results, but they have not been implemented. Rather than implementing them, the government does not seem to have even responded to the issues raised in the parliament. It seems that the government has become a little accountable if the opposition party obstructs the parliament over a very big issue of the national level. But it has ignored other issues. Instead, if the people’s issues are raised before the minister, they can be fulfilled, but the government does not listen to them when they speak in the parliament.
What is your opinion on constitutional amendment?
The issue of constitutional amendment seems to have entered all political parties with the formation of the current coalition government. We have raised the issue of direct executive. Our party has also been raising the issue of abolishing the provincial government. The issue that the chairman of the federal parliament and the National Assembly should be the Vice President has also been raised from the beginning. Naturally, the constitution needs to be amended on all sides. It needs to be amended peacefully after taking the people’s opinion.
What should be done to further strengthen federalism?
The necessary laws need to be made quickly in a way that strengthens federalism. Many laws need to be made by the federal government. The constitution itself has given separate and joint powers to the local, provincial, and federal governments. But the fact is that laws have not been made to exercise that right. Therefore, the first task is to improve the mentality of the current centralized governance system. Laws should be made in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution of Nepal. In accordance with the Constitution, 40 more laws need to be made quickly. It does not seem like the government is paying much attention to making those laws.
What is your party’s future plan?
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is currently in the process of expanding its organization. Our first preparation is to hold a general convention. We have been working for that from the ward level. We plan to finalize the party convention and prepare for the upcoming elections.
What is your future role?
My role is to play an important role in making laws. The MPs of the RSNP, individually and collectively, have been working to ‘update’ every law. We have also been actively working on the theoretical aspects of the bill and in the clause-wise discussions. The MPs of the RSNP have been playing a special role in making the law pro-people. Apart from that, we have been raising the issues of our constituencies. For example, after raising the issue of public land, it has been resolved. I have also been raising the issues of the ring road, lack of drinking water, education, health, and employment.
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