Opposition Parties Fail to Respond as Government Solicits Suggestions on National Commitment Draft

April 23, Kathmandu – Despite the government soliciting opinions and suggestions from opposition parties on the draft of a national commitment for governance reforms, no feedback has been submitted within the designated time frame. Based on the manifestos, pledges, and commitments of six national parties elected in the House of Representatives election, the government released a draft “National Commitment” and invited suggestions from other parties.

The government requested feedback on the draft from five opposition parties: Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, CPN, Labour Culture Party, and Rastriya Prajatantra Party.

On the first day of the new year, the government prepared the draft by incorporating topics from all parties’ manifestos concerning governance reforms and urged submission of suggestions within ten days. However, by the deadline (April 23), no party had provided any suggestions.

At Nepali Congress, the main opposition party, the matter is still under discussion. Congress spokesperson Devaraj Chalise said, “We have not submitted suggestions on the government’s request yet; discussions are still ongoing.”

On the day the new government was formed (March 26), the cabinet approved the governance reform agenda, which included as its third priority “To prepare commitments based on the manifestos, pledges, and commitments of all political parties participating in elections, and to establish them as shared ownership under the Government of Nepal.”

The national commitment, consolidated from the suggestions received from the national parties, will form the basis for determining policy and programs for upcoming fiscal years. Accordingly, policies, programs, and budgets will be reformed.

To implement the commitments, ministries and agencies will integrate them into their annual programs and budgets. Coordination among different agencies to execute the national commitment’s objectives will be managed by the Prime Minister’s Office.

The CPN-UML has emphasized that discussions with opposition parties must precede any suggestion procedure on the national commitment. UML Vice President Guru Baral remarked, “Although there have been initial internal discussions regarding the draft, the ruling party’s process is not appropriate. This matter requires thorough discussion, not just replying via letters. The government’s solicitation seems more for publicity.”

The CPN stated that providing suggestions on the draft is not currently on their meeting agenda. Leader Devendra Poudel said, “It does not appear that the government genuinely seeks others’ input. There has been minimal internal discussion on offering suggestions on the national commitment.”

The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has also not submitted suggestions by the deadline (April 23). RPP spokesperson Mohan Shrestha informed that internal discussions are ongoing.

The government’s released draft sets a goal for Nepal to become a middle-income country within five years by achieving a 7% economic growth rate.

Other targets include raising per capita income to USD 3,000, approaching a GDP of USD 100 billion, and reducing the poverty rate to 10% within five years.

Collaborating with provincial and local governments, the draft aims to provide irrigation facilities to an additional 300,000 hectares of arable land within five years. It also includes a commitment to establish a chemical fertilizer factory in partnership with the private sector.

The government plans to double the number of tourists, their stays, and expenditures in Nepal. Moreover, 2027 will be observed as the “National Health Year.”

There is a plan to amend laws to produce 30,000 megawatts of electricity in the coming decade. Major national pride projects will be executed according to timely action plans.

The draft sets a target of creating 1.5 million jobs over five years, developing education systems to support employment, and establishing at least two model schools in each local government unit. The health sector budget aims to reach 8% by 2088 BS (2031-32 AD).

The government intends to establish 17 ministries at the federal level and recruit 25% new workforce in government services over the next five years.

Commitments also include constructing state-of-the-art sports infrastructure across all seven provinces.