‘Assimilation of federal democratic republic in people’s culture must’

February 6, Kathmandu: As the provinces are observing the 6th establishment day of province assemblies, the strengthening of province governments has been voiced strongly. The effectiveness of the provincial government has been linked to the enforcement of federalism as well.

In this connection, the Chief of Gandaki Province, Prithvi Man Gurung, has viewed the federal democratic republic should being people’s culture and lifestyle. If it helps people realize the change in the system, he argued.

Addressing a programme organized to observe the establishment day in Pokhara on Monday, Gurung reminded even a year has elapsed since the second term of province assembly commenced. Province assembly and government have been burdened to act responsibly and up to people’s aspiration, he urged.

The law-making and development activities forwarded by the province government are linked to the true enforcement of federalism, according to him. The Gandaki people have placed much hope in their province representatives, Gurung reminded.

He further said, “In the first term of province assembly, many laws were enacted, thereby paving the foundation for stability. Now, further activities should be carried out based on these so that achievements could be realized.”

Gurung suggested the government forward new schemes for industrialization, the creation of jobs, development works, health, housing, security, education and good governance. Further seriousness is warranted, he underscored.

On the occasion, Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pande viewed they were working for full implementation of the federal democratic system as per the constitution’s guidelines. It is a present need to ensure a democratic dividend to the people by reinforcing democracy, he said, adding that province assembly could be further functional for it. Beneficiaries should realize inclusive and just distribution of democratic entitlements, Pande argued.

The present constitution is dubbed the best charter in terms of constitutionalism, so the province assembly’s role is pivotal to making the constitution meaningful. He also shared that a concept paper on the second five-year plan in the province was approved and the formulation of the second periodic plan was at the final stage. CM Pande vowed that the province government could not afford to repeat past mistakes.

Similarly, UML leader and former Chief Minister Khagaraj Adhikari viewed the province is the beauty of federalism. So the relevance of the province must be reflected in its activities, he suggested, adding that the centralist mindset should be shunned. All sides’ cooperation is imperative to fortify province structures, according to him.

CPM (Maoist Centre) leader Hari Bahadur Chuman informed that more than 60 laws were made by the Gandaki Province. Although the laws under exclusive rights were made, laws under concurrent rights were awaited.