English - Support to Participatory Constitution Building in Nepal ...

the provinces are interdependent with the
center and with other provinces, and with
the local government.
After the presentation Mr. Bhim Karki stated
that although the centrally concentrated
fiscal system is a matter of concern for
all, before giving more authority to the
local level, local government should be
strengthened. However, most participants
feel that more authority should be allocated
to the local level so people can develop their
own provinces by themselves. Thus, Gaja
Kumari Gurung recommends that the fee
for passports and visas should be allocated
to the province rather than center. Mr. Shuv
Nath Mishra said that to maintain an impartial
distribution of power among the provinces
in case of different political parties ruling in
the province and in the center, the provinces
should be demarcated with consideration of
their natural resources.
Q. What kind of taxation policy would
ensure less difficulty for taxpayers paying
taxes to different levels of government,
and for carrying out infrastructure
development between two provinces?
- Bhim Karki
A. Although federalism is the result of the
disparity in power distribution in the unitary
system, it is necessary to widen the scope of
income for the province. Without allocating the
power no one can build the capacity, thus both
should be ensured at the same time. However,
one should be careful about the probable
risk of leaving major responsibility with the
provinces. If total national revenue is shared
properly between the center and provinces it
will encourage decentralized federalism.
Q. Why is there written in the preamble
“Adibasi, Janjati” whereas the indigenous
people are claimed to be Adibasi Janjati?
Gaja Kumari Gurung
A. Human nature is that everybody wants
opportunities and the word “Janjati” after
the comma denotes the Khas people. The
distribution of power and opportunity
should be based on the proportion of the
population of the particular community.
More questions on the presentation of fiscal
federalism are included later in this report.
Group Work 1: Exploring the facts about
different facets of federalism in the context
of Nepal
The participants were divided into five groups
to discuss issues related with federalism.
The topics of the group discussion were
inter-provincial relations, minority rights
in the province, the basis for restructuring
the state, local government and its services,
and the division of power between center
and province.
Inter-provincial relations: The first group
made several points concerning the
relationship between the provinces in the
federal structure. They had no argument with
the geographical borders and ownership of
water, land and forest within the provinces.
They believe there should be no interprovincial
policy of taxation on food grains
and other consumer goods. There should
be the construction of shared projects and
infrastructure, and easy facilitation of travel
and communication between provinces.
No restrictions should be made for people
from one province receiving basic services
Proposed Tamuwan Province Report 19