Kathmandu, March 5: Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport , Devendra Dahal, also serves as a member in the National Assembly. He has been in the upper house since five years.
The lawmaker who was born in Taplejung on Bhadau 16, 2015 BS (September 1, 1958) is presently the permanent resident of Damak municipality-5 in Jhapa. He started his career as the student union leader in 2036 BS, engaging in the movement against the then Panchayat system. He represents the CPN (UML) in the coalition government.
Talking to RSS, lawmaker Dahal highlighted the need for the formulation of various acts and laws mandated by the Constitution.
He expressed concern that the country is still operating under “outdated” legal instruments, with laws dating back to 2012 and 2018 BS still in effect. He stressed the importance of expediting the enactment of laws as demanded by the Constitution.
Sharing his views regarding the Constituent amendment matter, he said, “The Constitution is not an unamendable document.”
The need for its amendment has been realised for many causes including to reduce the election costs and address the situation preventing political parties to secure a single majority during the election. He also suggested that direct elections could ensure better representation for various casts, communities, and marginalized groups.
Sharing his opinion about the implementation of federalism, he advocated for considering to allocate more rights to local levels. “The budget should be focused on local governments.” As he said, the federalism has been a bit costlier, but the three-tier mechanism remains essential, although some adjustments are necessary.
The lawmaker insisted on prompt service delivery to citizens to promote good governance. Promptness, transparency and civic-centered services are the ways to promote good governance, he added.
He is of the opinion of creating more jobs targeting youths, improving educational system and promoting agricultural production to gradually discourage the plight of youths. The government is also working towards that end, he added.
Regarding the RSS query about the lack of strong unity among the political parties including NC, CPN (UML), CPN (Maoist Centre) and Madhesh Centric-parties, Dahal said political parties in Nepal have a compulsion to form the coalition government as none of them have a majority win in the election.
The incumbent coalition government comprising the two largest parties: the Nepali Congress and the CPN (UML) was demanded by the same situation. Collective efforts were expected to make the government successful “But in reality this is not happening. The good efforts of the government are supposed to be promoted.”
The opposition parties have their own roles. But it does not mean that good initiatives of the government be also protested. The culture of accusation and counter-accusation has been dominant in the Nepali politics. We have the parliament to put our concerns and grievances, he said.
According to him, as the Minister in the federal government, his efforts ahead will be focused on promoting good governance and further accelerating the development initiatives and reconstruction efforts.
