The first session of the ‘Lumbini Ko Samarthya’ organised by Kantipur Media Group discussed ways to institutionalise and strengthen federalism in the country.

Lumbini Province Chief Minister Leela Giri, Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration Aman Lal Modi, Parliamentary Party leader of Lumbini Nepali Congress Dilli Chaudhary, and Chair of National Association of Rural Municipalities Laxmi Pandey were the speakers for the session titled ‘Time to implement federalism’.

‘Lumbiniko Samarthya’, an interaction programme focusing on the implementation of federalism and exploring economic opportunities of Lumbini Province, is being organised by the Kantipur Media Group, in collaboration with the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers of Lumbini Province.

Chief Minister Giri said, “While the country went federal in 2017, we had governing bodies but not required resources. Laws were not made. In the past five years, the Lumbini provincial assembly has made over 72 laws to pave the easy legal path.”

When asked about the reason behind the failure of budget expenditure in development in Lumbini Province, Giri said as the elections were held this year, the six months witnessed less capital expenditure and that the province would put maximum efforts into improving the capital expenditure.

Aman Lal Modi, Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration, underscored the need of sustaining the federal system as it was achieved through a political struggle.

He assured that the Cabinet will finalise the federal civil service bill and send it to the Parliament for endorsement. “Federalism will be implemented effectively,” he stressed.

Chair of the National Association of Rural Municipalities Pandey stressed that the three tiers of the government should be followed as it is for the institutionalisation of federalism. “If the local level strengthens, the provinces and the centre will be strengthened automatically.”

Nepali Congress Lumbini Province Parliamentary Party leader Dilli Chaudhary said it is high time for all the political parties in the province to pressurise the central level and prove their relevance. “The federal government should ensure the provinces the rights given by the constitution.”