Valendra Shah: Questions Raised Over Government Reform Efforts After 100 Days in Office
Image source, EPA
Although certain aspects of the 100-point administrative reform agenda, announced to be implemented within 100 days of Prime Minister Valendra Shah’s cabinet taking oath, have shown positive progress, various legal and procedural questions have been raised regarding their execution.
Government officials report that most agenda items are either implemented or underway, including the commitment to establish a high-level investigation committee within one week to probe the incidents of September 9 (Bhadau 24).
The agenda includes forming a task force to draft a constitutional amendment discussion paper, creating shared commitments based on party manifestos, and making public service free from political interference.
While discussions on constitutional and legal amendments are ongoing, the government has deregistered trade unions from the civil service and formed a commission to investigate assets of former prime ministers and current senior officials.
As the government nears completion of 100 days, criticism has emerged that these commitments are being advanced opaquely, and the morale within the civil service has weakened amid the active involvement of advisory groups.
However, the Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson stated that everyone is working according to their responsibilities, and there is a plan to regularly collect updates and publish progress reports on administrative reforms.
Expert Views
Narayan Adhikari, a member of the Good Governance Roadmap drafting taskforce, said, “This government emerged on the basis of opposing nepotism, corruption, and exploitation. Yet, it remains difficult to understand how they are progressing in reforms and who is involved.”
“The entire process appears opaque. Even with good intentions, its lack of transparency makes it hard to claim complete success.”
He emphasized the necessity of clear deadlines and formal procedures to implement reforms and observed the government’s failure to manage squatter settlements without alternative arrangements.
Image source, EPA
The 100-point agenda had included digital data collection within 60 days and provision of land or housing in phases to genuine squatters within 1000 days.
Government officials mentioned, “The laws and procedures are complex and sometimes burdensome. Everyone knows what types of processes cause obstacles. Identification of these can allow for streamlined legal reforms via parliament. Without it, government decisions may fail or have to be reversed.”
They further noted, “Sometimes the government appears defensive, which undermines its credibility. A loss of public trust inherently hampers positive changes in governance.”
Controversies have also arisen regarding the jurisdiction of the commission set up to investigate assets of individuals from former prime ministers to former Supreme Court justices and constitutional body chairs.
Despite commitments by various ministries to adopt results-oriented governance with 10 key action points, there remains opacity about which ministries and officials are leading specific tasks.
Former Secretary’s Perspective on Administrative Reforms
Former Secretary Gopinath Mainali acknowledged positive progress after 100 days but stressed the government still needs to mature further.
He stated, “I am unsure if this government has been irregular, but the start looks promising. However, sophistication is still needed in budget preparation, implementation, and public institution development.”
While the elimination of trade unions reduced political interference, he warned of new types of interference by secretariat members and advisors entering Singha Durbar.
“People managing meetings from ministers’ homes should not be institutionalized into laws or placed inside Singha Durbar. Having many advisors can begin a new political influence.”
Image source, Getty Images
The reform agenda emphasized rendering public administration completely free from political interference and ensuring unelected employees, teachers, and civil servants deliver services without party or vested group affiliation.
Although the government pledged to introduce a federal civil service bill within 45 days, it later chose to amend laws through ordinances.
The agenda also included points to encourage investment and the private sector.
Mainali noted that investors have begun to feel insecure.
“I am not implying we should avoid taking action, but reforms must be gradual, not abrupt. Measures must also target intermediaries. If investors become fearful, it could negatively impact our progress towards prosperity and good governance,” he added.
At his party convention, Prime Minister Valendra Shah likened his government to a vehicle running on an expressway and said investigations regarding misuse of government property would be conducted in collaboration with the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA).
Specifically addressing allegations that secretariat officials pressured the CIAA regarding passport printing issues, the Prime Minister stated, “If any irregularities or misuse of government assets occurred in recent times, it is necessary to find the root cause. We will undertake that task. If questioning and consulting the CIAA is required, we will do so for not just five hours, but even five years.”
Nevertheless, experts criticized the Prime Minister’s remark that constitutional body officials accountable to Parliament do not have the right to ‘disobey’ work directives.
Response from the Prime Minister’s Office
Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson Hemraj Aryal said a report has been compiled based on progress information collected from various ministries.
He stated, “Many projects have already started. Some have been completed, others have recently begun and seem near completion. Not all project outcomes are visible yet.
The policy is to continue the work initiated by the previous government and maintain focus on reforms moving forward.”
He added that the government has progressed certain tasks through numerous ordinances and has prepared a list of proposed laws for next year through consultations with the Ministry of Law.
Government officials did not provide numerical details on implemented action points but acknowledged the committee promised to investigate the September 9 arson and vandalism incident is yet to be formed. Aryal stated, “That is a political matter, I cannot comment. I will only talk about committees that are formed and progressing.”
Image source, PM Secretariat
The compiled report from all ministries reportedly details the progress made on each agenda item.
The agenda promised to deliver government documents like passports, citizenship copies, and licenses to citizens’ doorsteps within 100 days. Aryal confirmed, “Work is underway to develop an online tracking system between the Passport Department and postal service.”
Commitments such as issuing a national anti-corruption action plan within 15 days and legally reclaiming funds from bank accounts inactive for over 10 years have yet to be executed.
Aryal added, “The action plan has already been prepared and is under discussion in Cabinet committees. Efforts to recover funds from inactive accounts are ongoing but not completed, according to the Ministry of Finance.”
Regarding allegations that individuals within the Prime Minister and Ministers’ Secretariat have taken control over civil administration, the spokesperson affirmed that everyone is working according to their roles.
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