Nepali Times
Constitution Supplement
"It's not that we are too lazy to draw up a map of federal states"



What do you do when the CA is adjourned?
The CA session resumes as soon as it receives draft reports from some thematic committees that have failed to meet the deadline. For now, we take part in parliamentary sessions. Besides, I have to lobby for development in the ministries and concerned authorities.

Why did your party not submit the draft on the new federal structure?
This is a very sensitive and highly debated issue. We presented the basis on which the state should be restructured. So you cannot say the NC did not even submit a draft on state restructuring. The policy of our party is that it should be finalised only after rounds of discussions with all stakeholders. It's not that we are too lazy to draw up a map of federal states.

The biggest party in the CA has already declared federal states, what do you think will happen now?
By declaring federal states, the Maoists have not only challenged the CA but have sown the seeds of ethnic conflict. The situation will get worse if other parties take decisions on state restructuring in a hurry. Therefore, NC decided to finalise the issue carefully only after consultation with all stakeholders.

What should be the basis of state restructuring then?
Geography and natural resources are the most important. The federal system won't work out if these two are not considered. An appropriate allocation of resources should be made to foster cooperation among the federal states.

Your constituency falls under the federal state of Newars and Tamangs.
Kanth state, which is an area separate from the neighbouring villages of the capital, has come into focus lately. State restructuring is a very sensitive issue, and should not be declared arbitrarily. Federal units should be created by considering the interrelation between the Himal, hills and Tarai, or else there will be conflict.

Will you still be a CA member if the constitution is not written by 28 May?
It is not just my future, but the future of the political parties and the country that will be uncertain.

READ ALSO:
Constitution 2010, Nepali Times coverage of issues related to writing the new constitution



LATEST ISSUE
638
(11 JAN 2013 - 17 JAN 2013)


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