In Nepal, the implementation of the federal governance system remains a challenging task several years after its inception. The division of powers among federal, provincial, and local governments, as well as the clarity needed in policy formation and execution, have reportedly hampered service delivery, say stakeholders. Although the constitution provides for a three-tier government structure, a lack of coordination is evident in practice.
Particularly, the processes involved in policy-making suffer from redundancy, legal complexities, and ambiguity in administrative structures, leading to concerns that the objectives of federalism have not been fully met. In some instances, there are allegations that authorities meant for local governments are being controlled by provincial or federal levels, hindering the goal of making local governments self-reliant and effective.
Political analysts argue that for federalism to succeed, there must be a clear legal framework, administrative reforms, and human resource development. They believe that until issues like staff reallocation and equitable distribution of resources and financial powers are addressed, the federal system will remain weak. They also emphasize the need for enhancing the capacities of elected representatives and ensuring political will in the implementation of policies.
Stakeholders highlight the necessity of linking the implementation of federalism to improvements in living standards, rather than confining it to structural changes. They contend that federalism will only gain public trust if it can directly impact education, health, infrastructure, and employment opportunities.
The government has expressed a commitment to reviewing federalism and taking necessary reformative steps; however, substantial practical changes have yet to be seen. There is hope that with clarity in policies, coordination among different government tiers, and assured accountability, the federal governance system will become more oriented towards serving the public.
