When development in Nepal is discussed, Singapore and Switzerland are often mentioned. In the first Constituent Assembly election of 2064, Chairman Prachanda, who became the Prime Minister after the Maoists became the largest party, announced the creation of Singapore. The then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli also announced the same after his visit to Switzerland. However, these two leaders definitely did not make such an announcement based on the study of Switzerland's political-economic system.

It is not difficult to understand that the discussion of the development of Switzerland was the basis of the leaders. It has been 177 years since this country, which has a population of about 9 million, has practiced federalism. With 26 provinces (cantons) and 2,121 districts (commons), Switzerland ranks 20th in the world economy.

Corruption is in the fifth place in the country, the average life expectancy of people there is 84.2 years . Switzerland is an important country not only for development, but also for the study and learning of the practice of federalism. Nepal, which is practicing federalism, should make its federalism strong and effective by studying and analyzing the good practice of federalism in the world, not in slogans. However, neither the government nor the political parties seem to care about making federalism effective.

An important agenda of state restructuring is federalism. Due to the centralized and feudal state system, the communities and regions that have been excluded and marginalized from the state have strongly raised the agenda of federalism. After the end of the Rana regime, the Terai Congress and later the Sadbhavana Party were politically raising the agenda with an autonomous Terai.

Likewise, after 2047, tribal tribes, Madhesi and marginalized communities have strongly raised the agenda of federalism with autonomy. During the People's War, the then CPN-Maoist practiced nine ethnic-regional provinces. Likewise, federalism is the result of the strong movement of tribal tribes, Madhesi and marginalized communities.

With the debate on state restructuring, Nepali Congress, CPN-UML accepted federalism, so Nepal has been transformed into a federal system of government. In the past, the RPP and Rashtriya Janamorcha opposed federalism, while the National Independent Party also did not open up in favor of the federal system. It is natural for political leaders and activists who are not in favor of federalism to oppose federalism, but the leaders/activists of the pro-federal party are involved in creating anti-federalist commentary.

Constructed Commentary on Federalism 

In the context of federalism, it seems that the comment that 'province is not working' is getting stronger . The Janata Samajwadi Party was established from the Madhesi movement, which fought a great deal in favor of the federal system. During the conversation, one of the presidents of Dhanusha, elected from the same party, expressed the opinion that there is no need for a province. He is only a representative character, other people's representatives are also involved in making such comments. Some of the leaders/activists of the Maoist party who are in favor of state restructuring and federalism are going to say that there is no work for the province.

So much so that most of the state assembly members, state ministers and even the chief minister do not seem to be interested in making the state strong and effective. Basically, the traditional dominant classes and communities in party power and state power are not responsible for making federalism effective. On the other hand, Madhesi, tribal tribes and marginalized communities are concerned that federalism is not as strong and effective as expected. There is no federalism without provinces. Rejecting federalism or provinces is a return to the old centralized system, a backward step . Therefore, there is no option to strengthen the province based on the theoretical approach of federalism. Commentary that

has become only a method of managing the leader/activist of the state party is being forcefully created. Naturally, the relevant state level party leadership gets the opportunity, because the people have easy access, they get the opportunity to make the representatives accountable, they can raise their concerns with the chief minister and the minister or the member of the provincial assembly, which is not so easy in a centralized system .

Similarly, marginalized communities get leadership opportunities. The oppressed communities like Tharu, Muslim, Madheshi, Tamang got the opportunity to become the Chief Minister, the situation of them becoming the Prime Minister in the centralized system has not happened now . It has at least helped to increase the identity of the concerned community and sense of belonging to the state.

is another comment made about the province, seven provinces in such a small country have become very expensive, so many leaders and ministers cannot be kept . As discussed above, Switzerland is not a large country with a large population, but it has 26 provinces and has made great progress in the economic-social sector. This means that needs rather than population or geography will determine the number of provinces. But the people are not aware of the reason and basis for creating seven provinces in Nepal. Identity and power are the basis of province building, but ignoring these two issues, there is no public discussion about the reality of province demarcation and nomination.

federalism in practice

Countries that have practiced federalism have made socio-economic progress. A federal system is needed for people's easy access to the state, respect for social diversity, right to identity and autonomy of oppressed communities, democracy with proportional inclusive representation, freedom from all kinds of discrimination and economic-social development.

However, effective implementation of federalism according to the theoretical concept has not been done in Nepal. From sugarcane farmers to dairy farmers, from meter business victims to cooperative victims, they have not been freed from the compulsion to run to Kathmandu for justice. Even if people's access to the local and provincial levels increases, federalism cannot be effective as long as there is no justice and rights until there is a movement in Kathmandu. 

With the implementation of federalism, there was an expectation among the people that ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious identity would be respected and historical oppression would end. Therefore, the issue of autonomy with identity was raised by the oppressed community. However, after the formation of the province, none of the provinces tried to address the expectations of the oppressed communities there. For example, Limbu, Rai, Tamang, Tharu as well as Dalits and Muslims have not been able to do any concrete work to end the identity, respect and historical discrimination.

With the implementation of federalism, the province has not been able to take any concrete initiative to end the gender, ethnic, linguistic-cultural differences in the socio-cultural field . Ending inequality, discrimination and injustice does not seem to be a priority of the province. On the one hand, it has not been able to address the essence of federalism and on the other hand, it is strengthening the reality that "the system has changed but the situation has not changed".

Provinces are economically dependent. The trend of depending on federal government grants but not making any plan for the economic development of the province does not strengthen the province . Until the province pays attention to the identification of the potential of economic development within the province, mobilization of resources and means and economic production, the province remains dependent and innocent.

Such a province cannot provide services and facilities according to the needs of the people . Good governance is an essential condition for the success of federalism. But after the practice of federalism, corruption, cronyism and misrule are continuing. People are bound to be cheated and robbed at every step . State and local governments are promoting similar arrangements. Effective implementation of federalism cannot be done until the end of such practice.

The future of federalism

Federalism is associated with a great sacrifice of the people. The overall state power based on centralized, unitary and monopoly of certain castes and communities has not yet been restructured . There is no alternative to the autonomy of the province, the end of racial, linguistic, cultural differences, commitment to social justice, economic development and economic transformation and building a strong province. Based on the review of the federalism practice so far, the analysis of the complications and challenges, there is a need for political prudence in creating the next action plan. 

The practice of federalism is new in Nepal. Therefore, while practicing the new system, the government and the political party had to create a detailed plan, strategy and action plan regarding its effectiveness . So far, the government has not taken any initiative to make the role of the province stronger and more effective through broad political dialogue and discussion. Political parties do not seem to have a role to strengthen the province except for forming the provincial parliament and government and participating in the race for power.

Even the government has not been able to create and implement an effective roadmap for federalism, while the supporters of federalism have not been able to put enough pressure on the government and the parties. Therefore, in the context of the implementation of federalism, in the initiative of the government, a detailed discussion and a comprehensive action plan should be prepared between the political parties and stakeholders. National political discussion on issues such as the right to autonomy of the provinces, the role of inter-provincial councils, personnel restructuring, federalization of the police and the state apparatus is the main need of the moment.  From the point of view of

power structure, the struggle, contributions and sacrifices for federalism and leadership are outside the main role of the main province. Those who fought for federalism are out of power and those who had no role in bringing about federalism are in power.

However, to make federalism strong and effective, the responsible role of all parties and leadership is necessary. As questions are constantly being raised about the provinces, it is necessary for all the provinces to have a comprehensive discussion and discussion regarding the practices, achievements, problems and challenges so far. The province should create a roadmap with methods, processes and roles to make the province stronger and more effective.

The autonomy of the provinces is an essential condition for the effectiveness of federalism. But in Nepal, provinces are not given enough autonomy. On the one hand, the province has become a subordinate of the Union, and based on the diversity of the province, it has also failed to create an environment for practicing ethnic-linguistic-cultural autonomy. On the other hand, there is a big problem in the coordination between the union, state and local levels. Moreover, there are many problems and complications in the coordination between the local level and the province. Until such complications are resolved, it is difficult to coordinate between the provincial and local levels. 

Despite the establishment and operation of the province, the civil service of Nepal has not been federalized. The main leadership of the staff for the province is appointed from the union, it is not decided when they will be transferred. The police administration is accountable to the Federal Ministry of Home Affairs, so the police cannot operate under the command of the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the Ministry of Home Affairs. Looking at the practice so far, the federal government, the bureaucracy, the police, etc. want to enjoy the practice of centralized power. This has created a challenge in the implementation of federalism.