A Non Territorial State For Dalits: Great Idea

Image via WikipediaRepublica: SRC majority report for 11 states

Limbuwan, Kirant, Tamsaling, Newa, Tamuwan, Narayani, Magarat, Karnali, Madhes-Mithila-Bhojpura, Madhesh-Abadh-Tharuwan and Dalit (non-territorial)

I am surprised there are still lawmakers insisting on Panchayati style north south states. But the 11 state idea is a good one, and the best part of the report might be the idea of securing a non territorial state for Dalits. That would be a cutting edge thing to do. Minus that the Dalits would have been shortchanged. I am so glad for this provision.

The Dalits are the most downtrodden group in Nepal.

This has to be coupled with the 33% provision for women. That applies to all parliaments in all states, including the Dalit state.

I am glad to see the country get one step closer to federalism.

Related articles

• MLC urges Dalits to fight for their rights (thehindu.com)
• Governments urged to give priority to Dalit entrepreneurs (thehindu.com)
• Dalits seek three states (thehimalayantimes.com)
Bhagat Sarbajeet Dalit State comprising Myagdi, Baglung and Parbat, Sahalesh Dalit Province covering Siraha, Dhanusha and Saptari districts in the Tarai, and Khaptad Dalit Dravid Province consisting of Bhajhang, Kalikot, Achham, Bajura, Mugu and Kalikot district, pointing that the Dalits comprise more than 30 per cent of the population in the Khaptad region. Leaders of the federation said real peace is not possible without addressing Dalits’ issues. They said that sociologists have warned that the proposed provincial system might give way to a new form of discrimination against the community that has been facing social injustice and suppression for long. DNF said state restructuring will mean nothing for the Dalits if the government does not provide special treatment for long-suppressed communities.
• Four-year-old Dalit girl raped in Karad (thehindu.com)
• Mayawati is anti-dalit: Mulayam Singh Yadav (ibnlive.in.com)
• Cong releases UP poll manifesto, plays quota card (ibnlive.in.com)
• A film with a difference - Priyanka Borpujari (kractivist.wordpress.com)
• Dalit organisations boycott meeting (thehindu.com)
• A film with a difference (thehindu.com)
• Mayawati slams Congress on quota, scams (ibnlive.in.com)

Arthik Kranti

Image via WikipediaZee News: Nepal PM announces economic development plans

The list of projects mentioned in the vision paper includes completing Kathmandu-Terai fast track road, starting construction of a second international airport outside Kathmandu, preparing detailed project report for 600 MW Budhi Gandaki hydropower Project and starting construction of the 750 MW West Seti project to ease the country's power shortage within the next fiscal year. ....... The 108-page plan of action has proposed 27 programmes, including restructuring of ministries and bringing regional administration offices under the Prime Minister's Office, to achieve good governance.

Rajnitik kranti. Madhesi kranti. Arthik kranti.

The difference is the economic revolution is going to last three decades.

Related articles

• Madhes Terai Forum demands bulk entry of Madhesi in NA (thehimalayantimes.com)
• PM prescribes pills for all economic ills (thehimalayantimes.com)
• Reform policy must for investment (thehimalayantimes.com)
• Govt banks to be equipped with internt (thehimalayantimes.com)

A Directly Elected President Is Not Going To Be A Dictator

Image via WikipediaI am not talking electoral college. In America the president is not elected directly or Al Gore would have won in 2000, not George Bush. I am talking electing the president directly in Nepal.

President Or Prime Minister?

Let's imagine a scenario. We have a new constitution and now it is time to head towards elections. The Maoists and the Madhesi Morcha might form an alliance again and Prachanda might be the Maoists' candidate for president. There would be a strong chance Prachanda would get elected.

He would have a four year term. If he does a good job, and the alliance holds, and if he wins again, he might get a second four year term. There would not be a third four year term for him after that. After that he could choose to retire, or he could contest elections to become a member of parliament, it would be up to him.

As Commander In Chief of the Nepal Army his most important tasks might be to (1) democratize the Nepal Army, and (2) to rightsize it, to bring it down to something like 30,000 soldiers and in the process have it reflect Nepal's ethnic and gender composition.

The annual budget for the country would originate out of the president's office, but unless it is passed by the two houses of parliament, that budget would not come into effect. That is called check and balance. That right there is power for the parliament. And it is very likely the Maoists would not have a majority in the parliament. No one party would. A president who could not pass a budget without the parliament would not be a dictator.

The president would have a cabinet. The president would appoint ambassadors.

The parliament would have a Speaker, the head of the legislative branch.

A Maoist might end up president, but the Maoist party likely will not have a majority in the parliament. And there will be elections to the local bodies. It is going to be interesting to see which parties form governments in the various states in the country. And there are going to be local elections. There is going to be a great diffusion of power thanks to federalism.

We might opt for parliamentary style Chief Ministers for the states just to keep the Nepali Congress happy, and to not end up with too many elections.

Related articles

• PAC zeroes in on Nepal Army ration (thehimalayantimes.com)
• Could This be Baburam's Katwal Moment? Nepal Army Against Bulk Recruitment of Madhesis (com.np)
• No fresh deal with Maoists until they mend ways: NC (thehimalayantimes.com)
• Prachanda‚ allies flying off to Rolpa (thehimalayantimes.com)
• NC chief denies agreement in Switzerland (thehimalayantimes.com)