The Nepali Communist Party has made public an ambitious commitment letter for the House of Representatives elections. The NCP made the commitment public on Tuesday, including announcements such as achieving an annual economic growth rate of more than 10 percent within five years and generating 10,000 megawatts of electricity.

The commitment letter made public by NCP Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal at the central office in Parisdanda is 60 pages long. ‘The rate of multidimensional poverty will be reduced from the current 20.15 percent to 10 percent within 5 years,’ the commitment states, ‘150,000 additional jobs will be created every year. At least 500,000 regular jobs will be ensured within five years.’

It has also been mentioned that at least 100,000 people who have returned from abroad will be made entrepreneurs within 5 years. Similarly, it has been said that complete self-reliance in rice, wheat, vegetables, fruits, milk, meat and fish will be achieved within two years, and the coming decade will be declared the ‘Agricultural Investment Decade’ and farmer identity cards will be distributed to all farmers. 

The NCP’s commitment letter also mentions the plan to connect the country by railway from China, which has been in the news for a long time but has been delayed. ‘The construction process of the Kerung-Kathmandu, Kathmandu-Pokhara and Kathmandu-Lumbini railways will be taken forward. Diplomatic initiatives will be taken to operate the checkpoints as agreed earlier,' the commitment letter states, 'the construction of the East-West Railway and the construction process of the Metrorail and Monorail in Kathmandu will be taken forward.'

An ambitious plan for the construction of Nijgadh International Airport in 5 years has also been included in the commitment letter. It has also been said that airports that are currently not in use will be upgraded and operated or brought to other purposes.

The commitment states that the NCP should be won to strengthen national independence with political, economic and policy self-determination, end foreign interference and dependence, protect, strengthen and develop the federal democratic republic, and clarify the distribution of powers between the union, provinces and local levels. 

Stating that the possibility of a single party winning a majority and running the government for five years under the current electoral system is low, it has been said that the constitution will be amended for political stability in line with the struggles and sacrifices of the Nepali people in various periods and the spirit of the latest young generation (Gen-G). The commitment states, ‘Protecting and consolidating the positive aspects of the current constitution, and amending and making progressive amendments to the constitution based on the sentiments of the young generation on issues such as the governance structure, electoral system, and strengthening the federal structure,’

It is said that the governance structure will be revised to have checks and balances of power to radically change the governance structure. ‘The existing electoral system is very expensive and cumbersome, which has promoted corruption. It has made it impossible for ordinary citizens with weak economic and social conditions to participate in elections. This electoral system will be changed to be simpler and less expensive,’ the commitment states, ‘Elected MPs will play a legislative role and a small-sized cabinet will be formed, reduced from the current 25 and including subject-matter experts.’

The NCP has put forward a policy of making health insurance mandatory and progressive. It is said that health insurance will be made the mainstay of the health security system and everyone will be required to be affiliated with health insurance.

Health insurance, which is currently limited to about 30 percent of the population, will be expanded to 10 percent of the population by 2025. The target is to reach 100% coverage by 2088 BS. ‘Currently, only about 10 percent of the citizens below the poverty line are covered by insurance. It will be reached 100% by 2088 BS. The system where the state bears the insurance premium of the poor, disabled, chronically ill and senior citizens will be made result-oriented, statistical and transparent,’ says the NCP’s election policy.

The NCP has also committed to resolving border disputes such as Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani through diplomatic negotiations and international law, and to making border management and regulation modern and effective. It has also committed to ‘reviewing unequal treaties and agreements and entering into new agreements based on mutual benefit, and prioritizing economic diplomacy to increase foreign investment, export promotion, technology transfer, tourism and employment opportunities.’ The commitment letter states that Nepal’s voice will be strengthened in international forums on climate change, Himalayan conservation, mountain issues and the common interests of landlocked nations. It is stated that a policy and structure will be created to utilize the skills, capital, experience and expertise of non-resident Nepalis in the development of Nepal. 

The NCP has vowed to make maximum use of information technology to build a self-reliant economy. ‘The active role of the state will be ensured to equally bring the benefits of information technology to the citizen level. Citizens will be empowered by removing the digital divide through safe, responsible and inclusive use,’ the commitment letter states. In terms of sports infrastructure, a commitment has been made to make Kirtipur, Mulpani and Bharatpur cricket grounds international standard. It has been said that the sports budget will be increased by 30 percent every year. 

Coordinator Dahal said that the commitment was prepared after reviewing past policies, plans and programs and taking suggestions from experts and scholars at various levels. ‘Some may seem ambitious. But we have reviewed the past and set the target,’ he said. 

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What are the contents of the commitment letter? 

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The multidimensional poverty rate will be reduced from the current 20.15 percent to 10 percent within 5 years  –

150,000 additional jobs will be created annually –

At least 500,000 regular jobs will be ensured within 5 years –

At least 100,000 people who have returned from abroad will be made entrepreneurs within 5 years  –

A target of adding 150,000 self-reliant jobs per year will be set –

Complete self-reliance in rice, wheat, vegetables, fruits, milk, meat and fish will be achieved within 2 years –

A National Agricultural Disaster Fund will be established –

10,000 megawatts of additional electricity will be generated within 5 years –

The capacity of the national grid will be increased to 15,000 megawatts within 5 years  –

According to the long-term goal, 40,000 megawatts of electricity will be produced by 2100 –

500,000 new housing units will be built within 5 years –

Clean drinking water will be provided to every Nepali home within 5 years –

20 cities will be made smart cities within 5 years  –

100 rural settlements will be made smart villages within 5 years  –

A high-level independent property investigation commission will be formed within 1 year –

The assets of all those who have held public office so far will be investigated –

A powerful and independent ombudsman will be formed –

A time-bound action plan will be implemented to remove the country from the grey list –

25 percent of new and capable human resources will be inducted into government services within 5 years –

The Federal Civil Service Act will be passed from the first session –

A high-level administrative structure review commission will be formed –

Six-month maternity leave will be provided to salaried women for up to two children –

Free treatment of women's diseases including breast cancer, uterine prolapse, fistula, and urinary leakage will be provided –

A fast-track women's justice unit will be established in every municipality –

A residential psychosocial counseling center will be established in each municipality for women victims of violence –

Professional training will be provided to women entrepreneurs 25 percent interest rebate on loans will be provided –

Unemployment insurance system will be implemented –

60 percent of the federal budget will be mobilized at the provincial and local levels for the implementation of fundamental rights –

Rehabilitation of freed Kamaiya and Kamlari will be completed within 2 years –

Integrated Dalit Development Authority will be formed –

Tharu Commission, Madhesi Commission, Muslim Commission and Indigenous Peoples Commission will be made resource-rich and effective –

All necessary laws for the implementation of federalism will be formulated within 1 year of the formation of the new House of Representatives –

Federal police integration will be fully implemented within 1 year –

The remaining tasks of the peace process will be completed and the transition period will be ended –

The goal of 'Net Zero Emissions' will be achieved by 2045 –

A disaster early warning system based on AI and digital technology will be developed –