Kathmandu: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has directed the federal government ministers to promptly address the concerns on issues of implementation of feedralism voiced by the Chief Ministers of the provincial government.
Addressing a meeting of the chief ministers of all seven provinces with the Prime Minister and members of Council of Ministers convened in Singha Durbar today, the PM said, “A strong implementation of federalism is our collective responsibility. You have well understood the worries and concerns of the chief ministers. Take them seriously.”
He expressed the belief that the activeness of chief ministers will make a significant contribution to federalism implementation, saying the government under his leadership has accorded special priority to it.
Chief Minister of Gandaki Province Surendra Raj Pandey said the federal ministers and the lawmakers should be equally responsible in the context of implementation of federalism, taking the Prime Minister’s initiatives seriously. He thanked the PM for his initiation in operating the Korala transit point and drew the attention of the Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport for the prompt construction of the Muglin-Pokhara and Narayangadh-Butwal roadways.
Madhes Province Chief Minister Saroj Kumar Yadav urged the Ministry of Finance for the operation of the Chhoti Customs Offices on the border with India. Pointing out to the acute problem of irrigation and drinking water in the Madhes Province, he called on the federal government to take initiatives for resolving these problems. “Let us run irrigation projects through joint investment of the federal and provinces, and increase the productivity in the Tarai-Madhes,” he suggested.
Karnali Province Chief Minister Raj Kumar Sharma called for making a review regarding the delay seen in the implementation of federalism. Stating that the province is still grappling with problems of electrification and reliable irrigation facilities and the weak telecom services, he urged the federal ministries concerned to pay their attention to addressing these problems.
Chief Minister of Sudur Paschim Province Kamal Bahadur Shah, lauding the initiative taken by the PM in federalism implementation, said the federal ministers also should make the same level of efforts. He said the centralized mindset is mainly responsible for the delay in federalism implementation.
“Important agreements have been made regarding the development of Sudur Paschim during the Prime Minister’s official visit to India. The development of the province has been attached priority in the incumbent government’s term alone. I thank the Prime Minister for this,” he said.
Bagmati Province Chief Minister Shalikram Jamkattel stressed that the federal ministries should soon delegate the rights to provinces, urging the bureaucracy to unlearn the unitary mindset in the implementation of federalism.
Lumbini Province Chief Minister Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary applauded the Prime Minister’s initiation towards the effective enforcement of federalism. “Federalism is our collective achievement and we have to own the responsibility for its enforcement.”
Koshi Province Chief Minister Kedar Karki urged ministers to realise the Prime Minister’s spirit regarding the implementation of federalism. He urged ministers not to hesitate to devolve power to the provinces.
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