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State remaking: Key institutions under central govt suggested

KATHMANDU, FEB 04 -
The report of the State Restructuring Comm-ission has recommended keeping key institutions under the central government. It has also recommended the government keep national security, monetary and financial policies, international affairs, revenue, arms and ammunition, among others.

The central government has been also advised to control central communications, the post office and sharing of radio frequency.

With regards to transportation, the central government will deal with national and international flights, the international airport, highways, national railways, ropeways and rafting.

However, conflicting SRC reports are divided on the mobilisation of security forces in federal states. While the major report has given the right to mobilise the Army, defence, national intelligence and armed police force to the federal government, the minority report has recommended the government keep the army and defence under the centre.

Provincial governments have been recommended to deal with the provincial police, law and order, crime control and provincial intelligence and operate television channels, radios, newspapers and provincial transportation. It has been suggested that they collect partial inland revenue, transportation tax, entertainment tax, agriculture tax, housing tax and tourism taxes. 

It has also been suggested that the provinces be allowed to deal with international cooperation and grants and loans, issue provincial citizenship certificates and provincial identity cards and keep provincial records.

Limited rights have been given to local bodies, including the operation of the metro police, community police, cooperatives, FMs, newspapers, local courts, local services and issues relating to senior citizens, issue land owner certificates, keep local records and register births and deaths.

The majority report has recommended 20 autonomous regions in the federal structure to ensure the rights of minority communities. Autonomous regions will be set up for Kochila, Urau, Dhimal, Meche, Santhal, Lepche, Yakha, Chepang, Dura, Kumal, Danuwar, Pahari, Danuwar, Thami, Majhi, Baram, thakali, Chhanthyal, Surel, Sunuwar, Jirel, Yolmo and Byasi states. However, the minority report has recommended the government scrap the provision of autonomous regions.

The rights of the autonomous regions, according to the majority report, include operation of community police, cooperatives, FMs, health services, autonomous elected council, hydro power projects and citizenship certificates and passports.

The concurrent list of common rights in federal states and provinces in both the majority and the minority reports has 27 provisions. Notable ones in the list are civil and criminal laws, law and order and prisons. The concurrent list also includes property related issues. The list also talks of family laws, registration of deaths and births, issuing licences for vehicles and casinos and lotteries.

Posted on: 2012-02-05 08:08

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