State Restructuring and Power Sharing: Issues of Contemporary Times

Variant structures of states Equal Federal Structures (states): USA, Australia, Germany, South Africa Unequal Federal Structures (States): India (J&K, Sikkim), Canada (Quebec) Autonomous regions in Unitary State: China Regional Political Strutures: Srilanka, United Kingdom Decentralized Local Structures: Norwey, Sweden, Denmark Nepal?? © NASC 2019

Constitution of Nepal In order to fulfill the aspirations for perpetual peace, good governance, development and prosperity through the medium of federal democratic republican system of governance, hereby promulgate this Constitution through the Constituent Assembly. © NASC 2019

Why Nepal requires state restructuring? Establishing rights Recognizing voices Sharing resources Enlargnig/Expanding choices © NASC 2019

Why Nepal requires state restructuring? State restructuring is something that is directly associated with political re-imagination of the state as per the spirit of the time and is a continuous process in democracy © NASC 2019

Sectors of Restructuring Political Administrative Social/Cultural Fiscal What it means in Nepal? © NASC 2019

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Federal System Province no. 3 Federation KTM Metropolitan City Coordination Cooperation Coexistence

Principles of State Restructuring and Federalism in Nepal Unity in diversity by recognizing the multi-ethnic multi-lingual, multi religious, multi cultural and diverse regional characteristics Build an egalitarian society founded on the proportional, participatory and inclusive principles Ensure economic equality, prosperity and social justice Eliminating discrimination based on class, caste, region, language, religion and gender Right to autonomy Self-rule

Principles of State Restructuring and Federalism in Nepal Eliminate caste based untouchability Committed to socialism Based on democratic norms and values Competitive multi-party system of governance Civil liberties Fundamental rights Human rights Adult franchise Periodic elections Full freedom of the press Independent impartial and competent Judiciary Rule of law

Ultimate Destination: Prosperous Nepal

State restructuring(local level) Function Geography Population Socio-Cultural Structure Access Resources Geographical Continuity conurbation

Principles of Restructuring(local level) Economies of scale Principle of subsidiarity Principle of exception Inclusion Consolidation of structure on the basis of consolidation of function Principle of representation

Criteria or bases A. Identity: Ethnicity/community (जातीय/समुदायगत) Language (भाषिक) Culture (सांस्कृतिक) Historical continuity (ऐतिहासिक निरन्तरता) Geographic continuity (भौगोलिक/क्षेत्रगत निरन्तरता) © NASC 2019

Criteria or bases B. Capability: Economic inter-dependence/capability (आर्थिक अन्तरसम्बन्ध र सामर्थ्य) Status of infrastructures and their viability (पूर्वाधार विकासको अवस्था र सम्भावना) Availability of natural resource (प्राकृतिक साधन र स्रोतको उपलब्धता) Administrative accessibility (प्रशासनिक सुगमता) © NASC 2019

Power Sharing in Nepal Principles Organization/sharing of Power Cooperation vs. Competition Separation vs. Balance of Power Horizontal power sharing : power sharing between the three organs of government (legislative, executive and judiciary) Vertical power sharing : sharing state power between different territorial layers of government (federal, state, and local levels) © NASC 2019

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Key Issues Whether the restructured governments are symmetric? Or assymetric? Symmetry of functions assigned to asymmetry of governments Are all provinces symmetric? Are the local governments symmetric? Tila Gufa Municipality (Kalikot) vs. Dhulikhel Municipality (Kavre) Lahan Municipality (Siraha) vs. Putalibazar Municipality (Syangja) Bharatpur Metropolitan City (Chitwan) vs. Kathmandu Metropolitan City (Kathmandu) What about the functions? The functions for provinces and local governments are symmetric (Schedule-5) © NASC 2019

FAQs Centralized of decentralized federalism, which is suitable in Nepal? (Decentralized federal countries: Switzerland, Canada vs. centralized federal country: Malaysia) What is the scope/space of district (district government)? Should Nepal have single or dual judicial system? Is it necessary to have constitution implementation mechanism and transition plan for next few years? What should be the relationship between the rights to self- determination and federalism? © NASC 2019

FAQs How should the recognition of diversity of language be managed in Nepal? How should the levying and collection of taxes be allocated among the federal, province and local governments? © NASC 2019

Potential risks (opportunities) Implementing constitution Reaching people Building ownership on state and national solidarity Making federalism a good means Strengthening local government © NASC 2019

Thank You © NASC 2019