The debate over abolishing federalism returns power to the center. Citizens' access to state services is reduced and the representation of local public sentiment is weakened.
What you should know
The Constitution of 3 October 2072 established federalism in Nepal. It has been in practice since the 2074 general elections. In the few years since federalism, significant work has been done in the provinces in the areas of education, health, infrastructure, agriculture, good governance, women's empowerment, and economic development. Changes have also emerged. Along with the benefits, there are also some structural challenges.
After the implementation of federalism, educational access has increased in Madhesh Province as local and provincial governments have prioritized school and campus expansion, classroom construction, and teacher recruitment.
Positive initiatives are being taken in women's education through the 'Beti Padhau, Beti Bachau' program. However, literacy in the province is low. Even today, the enrollment rate at the basic level is high in Madhesh, but challenges remain in enrollment and continuity at the secondary level. This article has attempted to analyze the achievements by keeping some provinces in context.
Similarly, schemes such as new hospitals, maternal and child health programs, and air rescue have increased health services and access. In infrastructure development, regional 'connectivity' has been strengthened through the 'Madhesi Martyr Highway' and road and energy expansion. Although schemes such as irrigation, agricultural roads, and 'One Family-One Job' in the agricultural sector have helped improve production, technology and market access are incomplete.
Another province, Gandaki, has implemented a new education policy after federalism by making policy reforms in the education sector. School enrollment is steadily increasing, and institutions including Pokhara University are making higher education accessible. In the health sector, referral hospitals, maternal and child programs, and expansion of community health posts in remote areas have helped improve service quality. In infrastructure development, the Pokhara-Bhimdatta Highway, tourism infrastructure, and expansion of energy and drinking water are notable.
The passage of the Dalit Rights and Empowerment Act has taken a major step forward in the field of social justice. This law has further strengthened social inclusion by targeting women, indigenous peoples, and Dalits living in the province.
After federalization, there has been significant improvement in the expansion of schools, health posts, and infrastructure in Karnali Province. However, quality and manpower management are still challenging. Due to teacher shortages, difficult geographical access, and a poor educational environment, quality improvement in schools is taking place at a slow pace. In the health sector, telemedicine, maternal and child camps, upgrading of provincial hospitals, and air rescue for at-risk pregnant women appear to be effective.
Infrastructure development in Karnali is slow due to geography, but solar energy, small hydropower, and remote road expansion have improved the standard of living in residential areas. High-value herbs, organic products, and drought-resistant seed programs are making strong progress in agriculture and animal husbandry.
The Far Western Province has prioritized the expansion of schools, campuses, and community education centers after federalization. In the health sector, the expansion of provincial hospitals, heart treatment facilities, health insurance programs, and maternal and child nutrition projects are strengthening service delivery. In infrastructure development, road expansion, drinking water projects, solar energy, and small hydropower projects have been effective.
Women's entrepreneurship, skill training, scholarship, and economic empowerment projects are increasing women's participation and rights. Similarly, in the agricultural sector, the 'One Village, One Product' program, crop diversification, and expansion of the cooperative system have made it possible to increase production. The economic structure of the province is based on the service sector and agriculture, but tourism, hydropower, and small industries are opening up new possibilities. Citizen participation is being strengthened at the local level through women's groups, schools, health development committees, and survey systems.
In conclusion, federalism has created the basis for Nepal to exist beyond the capital Kathmandu. The federal system has brought about a historic change in service delivery, inclusiveness, local leadership, and development priorities in Nepal. Today, some political parties and vested interests are widely discussing the issue of abolishing federalism.
It seems that all those centralized-minded elements need to absorb the important lesson taught by Madhesh, Gandaki, Karnali, and the Far West that if there is a strong and capable leadership even in remote parts of Nepal, state bodies can work for the benefit of the citizens.
The debate on abolishing federalism returns power to the center. Citizens' access to services from the state decreases and the representation of local public sentiment is weakened. What we need to understand is that the geographical and social diversity of provinces and local levels is the strength of federalism. The protection of people's rights at the provincial and local levels is the real basis of democracy. Today's debate should focus on changing the situation, not on changing the system.
