BIKRAM RAI
Nepal’s prime minister is the ceremonial head of 49 institutions, which means the country’s executive head is compelled to attend unproductive formal programs throughout his term. Besides the Cabinet of Ministers, Security Council, National Planning Commission and Constitutional Council, the prime minister won’t be missed if he steps down from the remaining 45.
“Most institutions want the prime minister as their chairperson to simply take favors through affiliation,” says Chief Secretary Leela Mani Puoudel. “If the prime minister wants, he could make productive use of his time by stepping down from most of these positions.”
The practice of appointing the head of the country as the chancellor of universities began during Panchayat and has become the norm even after the monarchy was abolished. Nepal’s Prime Minister is the chancellor of nine universities. Besides universities, the executive head is also appointed at academies and several other ‘high-level’ committees.
Former finance secretary Rameshwor Khanal, who was also advisor to the prime minister, says, “Autonomous institutions like universities don’t even require education ministers as chancellors.” Khanal says institutions like High-Level HIV/AIDS Council and many other academies aren’t going to be more effective by simply affiliating themselves with the prime minister.
“The Prime Minister needs to devote all his time for constitution-writing and economic transformation by stepping down from ceremonial roles,” says Radhesh Pant, the chief executive officer of the Investment Board.
Nepal’s prime minister is the head of the following institutions:
1. Cabinet of ministers
Constitutional Council
National Security Council
National Academy of Science and Technology
Nepal Academy
Music and Dance Academy
Lalit Kala Academy
Nepal Academy of Medical Sciences
Patan Academy of Health Sciences
National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities
BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences
Tribhuwan University
Kathmandu University
Purwanchal University
Pokhara University
Lumbini Buddha University
Nepal Sanskrit University
Far Western University
Mid-Western University
Agriculture and Forest Science University
National Water Resource Development Council
Tourism Board
Environment Protection Council
Climate Change Council
High level HIV/AIDS Council
National Information Technology Development Council
National Development Council
National Sports Council
Kathmandu Valley Development Council
National Development Problem Solution Committee
High level Peace Committee
Army Integration Special Committee
High Powered Committee for Integrated Development of Bagmati Civilisation
Administrative Reform Monitoring Committee
High level Investment Board
High Level Policy Committee on Organistion
National Population Committee
Decentralisation Implementation Monitoring Committee
Nation Tiger Conservation Committee
National Planning Commission
High level Committee for Information Technology
Poverty Alleviation Fund
Lumbini Development Fund
Pashupati Area Development Trust
National Trust for Nature Conservation
National Commission for Sustainable Development
Nepal Scout
Investment Board
Karnali Academy of Health Sciences