Submit your Article

A Constitution is a living document, it is a document of compromise that is not immune from the winds of change that blow so very often, especially on this part of the globe. As times change, the makers of a constitution or their successors have to make timely changes in it without compromising on its basic tenets.  

Nepal’s newest charter is not—and cannot be—an exception. 

Nine years have passed since the Constituent Assembly, in its second term, promulgated the constitution of a federal, secular and democratic Nepal, in a massive departure from the unitary system, amid a rough weather marked by protests from sections of the national population and displeasure from the next-door neighbor. Looking back, the system stood pretty shakily on twin pillars of multiparty democracy and constitutional monarchy on a seismic fault-zone, thanks to endemic corruption, a war, dynastic rules both of the royals and champions of democracy, rising public discontent and desires for change. 

Almost a decade after the promulgation of the charter that aimed to institutionalize democracy and republicanism by bringing the government at the doorsteps of the people living in far-flung areas in particular, not much has changed. Federalism, which was supposed to take the government to the doorsteps, is proving to be a costly affair, with increasing complaints from the people that all they have got at the provinces are Singhadurbars (Lion Palaces), which are quite costly to keep as they have to foot the cost of their operation. A frequently-heard public complaint is that the rulers have let the lions out among hapless sections of the society instead of extending to them the benevolent hand of the state.

There’s also a feeling among the public that select political leaders of the country can get away with anything, including policy-level corruption, as they are beyond the long arm of the law. 

Rather than decentralizing power, our federal experiment, thus far, has mostly been about managing plum jobs at the provinces for cadres of different political parties.

Moreover, whenever there’s a change of guard at the center, provincial governments also topple,  deepening a chronic political instability and disenchanting the people further and further.

These factors are pushing people, youths in particular, to the foreign shores—for jobs, for an education and even for permanent settlement. 

This does not bode well for a polity. 

The parties represented in the Parliament, including the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML, the two largest parties, should wake up and act. Amending the constitution may be necessary—by taking the entire country into confidence through long and engaging discussions with every section of the society on every topic—but it is equally necessary for Nepal’s political leaders to mend ways.  

The measures taken by the government to ensure fair prices and smooth availability of essential goods for the upcoming festive season are both timely and commendable. The announcement to open 42 fair price shops from Sept 23 across the country, from Dashain through the Chhath festival, demonstrates a commitment to consumer welfare during a period when demand hits peak and prices become volatile. By leveraging the strengths of three government entities—Salt Trading Corporation, Food Management and Trading Company, and Dairy Development Corporation—the government aims to provide a wide range of essential items at discounted rates. The discounts announced on various products, from rice and lentils to oil and live goats, will undoubtedly provide relief to many households struggling with rising living costs.

While the government has been opening fair price shops ahead of the festive season for the past many years, there has not been any study on the effectiveness of this initiative. Although these shops provide some relief to vulnerable consumers, their impact on overall market prices is limited. The government must complement this initiative with strong market monitoring and regulatory measures to ensure wider market compliance and prevent unscrupulous trading practices. The Industry Ministry’s announcement to conduct 4,000 market inspections is a step in the right direction. The sealing of 100,000 kg of sugar in warehouses sends a strong message to those who might consider hoarding essential goods. These actions, coupled with a pledge to prevent supply chain disruptions and artificial shortages, demonstrate a comprehensive approach of the government toward market regulation. The government's decision to provide a 50 percent customs duty waiver for importing 30,000 tons of sugar is another noteworthy measure. This strategy of increasing supply to stabilize prices could prove effective if implemented efficiently. However, measures must be taken to ensure that these benefits are passed on to consumers and not absorbed by middle-men.

As we approach the festive season, the government’s multi-pronged strategy of opening fair price shops, conducting market monitoring and providing import facilitation is commendable. However, the true test lies in its execution. For example, the price of sugar has climbed as high as Rs 160 per kg during the festive season despite all these initiatives. Strong enforcement, transparent operations and quick response to market fluctuations will be crucial for the success of this initiative. Moreover, while short-term measures like these are necessary, the government should also focus on long-term strategies to boost domestic production of essential goods. This would not only reduce dependency on imports but also ensure stable prices throughout the year.

The government should take a bold decision if it wants to save the national flag carrier.

The grounding of two wide-body and one narrow-body aircraft is costing the national flag carrier Rs 50m in lost business every day. Experts say the present situation of the NAC is due to poor planning and maintenance issues. The Airbus A330, ‘Annapurna’, has been undergoing a C-check in Italy for the past two months. The aircraft should have returned a month ago. No flight schedule has been arranged for the other A330, ‘Makalu’, which is preparing to leave for a C-check. The Airbus A320, Sagarmatha, is grounded due to hydraulic system problems. This leaves only one operational aircraft for international routes, which has severely limited the national carrier’s capacity to serve its network.

The impact of this fleet mismanagement will cost the NAC dear. The lucrative Kathmandu-Narita route alone is costing the airline Rs 180m in lost revenues every week. The losses would be much higher during the approaching Dashain-Tihar festive season when the demand for seats peaks. This crisis exposes deep-rooted issues within NAC. The lack of a backup aircraft strategy, delays in maintenance scheduling and the mismanagement in coordinating repairs all point to systemic failures in the airline’s operations. The use of materials, which were not approved by the manufacturers during the repair of hydraulic issues in the Airbus A320, speaks volume about the mismanagement and lack of adherence to aviation safety norms. Running an airline requires more than just owning aircraft—it demands meticulous planning, efficient management and a proactive approach to maintenance. The NAC management has failed on all these fronts.

Nepal Airlines, as the flag carrier, is not just a commercial entity but also a symbol of the nation. It could tarnish Nepal’s image in the international arena and could have broader implications for tourism and international trade. Realizing this, the NAC management must expedite the return of its grounded aircraft to service. It must do a comprehensive review of the airline’s maintenance practices and scheduling to avoid a similar situation in the future. 

The government must decide whether it is viable to continue operating a state-owned airline in its current form. Many countries have successfully privatized their national carriers or entered into strategic partnerships with established international airlines. Many study committees have given similar suggestions to the government. The government should take a bold decision if it wants to save the national flag carrier.

Minister for Education, Science and Technology Bidya Bhattarai said recently that officials of Tribhuvan University (TU) have been receiving threats from different people. Through a post on her social media page, she even requested the home ministry for necessary security arrangements for the officials and curbs on hooliganism. 

The recent controversy surrounding the appointment of the head of the Central Department of Sociology of TU has exposed a dangerous trend of threats and intimidation that threatens the very foundations of Nepal's oldest and largest institution of higher learning. The outgoing head, Prof Yubaraj Luintel, had submitted a list of nominees to succeed him at the Dean's office. Sources say the Dean, Prof Kusum Shakya, however, altered the order of the nominees, placing Tikaram Gautam, who was second on the list, in the top position and forwarded the names to higher authorities.

This sparked outrage, particularly from the Nepal Progressive Professors’ Association, which is close to the CPN-UML. The professor accused Dean Shakya of political bias, favoring a candidate allegedly close to the Nepali Congress. The ensuing conflict has escalated to the point where university officials, including the Vice-Chancellor, Rector and the Registrar, are reportedly receiving threats. The fact that a cabinet minister has to resort to social media to ensure the safety of academics speaks volumes about the breakdown of institutional norms and the infiltration of political bullying into academic spaces.

This is not an isolated incident, though. TU has a history of politically-motivated disruptions. The same department faced similar issues during the appointment of Prof Luintel as its head. Gautam was at the center of that controversy as well. This shows the culture of political interference in academic appointments in the TU is deeply entrenched, with merit and procedures often overlooked over party affiliations.

The repercussions of such actions are far-reaching as they create an atmosphere of fear and insecurity among faculty members and administrators. When university officials cannot perform their duties without fear of reprisal, it undermines the entire academic ecosystem. Academic activities will be affected not only in central colleges on TU premises but also in constituent and affiliated colleges across the country. Instead of witnessing a meritocratic and transparent system, students see power plays and threats determining academic leadership. This not only demoralizes students but also erodes their faith in the institution. Such activities discourage talented individuals from enrolling in TU campuses, which affect student numbers that are already on the decline. The impact on the teaching and learning environment is profound. When political agendas overshadow academic priorities, the quality of education inevitably suffers. Resources and energy that should be directed toward improving curricula, research and facilities are instead wasted on political maneuvering and damage control.

The government must take immediate steps to ensure the safety of university officials and thoroughly investigate the threats. Those responsible must be held accountable to send a clear message that intimidation has no place in academic institutions. There is also an urgent need for a comprehensive review and reform of the appointment processes at TU. Clear, transparent and merit-based procedures must be established and strictly adhered to. There should be room for manipulation or political interference. The ministry also needs to take necessary initiatives to safeguard the autonomy of universities by creating a regulatory framework that shields academic institutions from political pressure.

The current crisis at TU is more than just an administrative dispute. It is a symptom of a deeper malaise affecting Nepal's higher education system. It should serve as a wake-up call for all stakeholders—educators, politicians, students, and citizens—to rally for the protection of academic integrity and the safety of those who uphold it.