Seven years of federal experience fruitful: CM Giri

KATHMANDU, March 19: Chief Minister of Lumbini Province, Lila Giri has said that the seven years of experience of federalism has been fruitful. 

He stressed the need for additionally empowering the provincial government for further protecting the achievements. "We have reached this far with seven years of federal experience. Protecting the achievements and learning from mistakes took place in between," he said talking to Rastriya Samachar Samiti. 

He, however, added that development is a long-term process, and a lack of awareness among people may create problems. "There are disappointments among people due to the tendency of expecting results in haste. Some have gone against the system after results could not take place to meet unrealistic promises made during the system change," he said. 

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He was of th4e view that to fully empower the provincial and local levels, all rights as stipulated in the constitution should be given to them, and the federal government should formulate the Civil Service Act, the Provincial Police Act and the Education Act. "The allocation of rights guaranteed by the constitution has yet to be complete," he said, adding that the provincial governments are lagging behind for want of resources. 

"Although the constitution stipulates that all three governments are autonomous, the central government should play the role of guardianship, and the local governments should be made responsible. The provincial governments should play the role of a mediator. The provincial governments as being at the leadership should facilitate in the area where the central government cannot reach. For this, all rights should be allocated, they should be made responsible, and their evaluation must take place," he said. 

He also called for the central government to facilitate and increase the line of assistance for the provinces to construct roads and infrastructures. Besides, he stressed the need for making the National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission active. 

(RSS)