KATHMANDU: Senior Unified CPN-Maoist leader and former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai on Tuesday said a serious question has been raised regarding the performance of the Reconstruction Authority comprising most government ministers and secretaries.

Organising an interaction among experts and politicians here yesterday to discuss reconstruction, Bhattarai said a new all-powerful and autonomous mechanism could accomplish the job of reconstruction more effectively.

Bhattarai also clarified that he was ready to contribute to the country’s reconstruction even without considering protocol or his status as former prime minister.

During the function, Suryaraj Acharya had presented a paper on the strategic draft of the reconstruction.

Former Attorney General Raghav Lal Baidhya said the newly formed authority was not autonomous in any way. There are eight government officials out of 11 members and the three experts could be kicked out any time

He further said the authority could be dissolved any time without reason, which indicates autocracy of the state. “Why should the PM, who heads the country, lead the authority?” he asked.

Former vice-chair of National Planning Commission Pitambar Sharma said the government lacks clarity of vision.

NRNA chairman Shesh Ghale said the whole thing needs to be looked into as investment and therefore government should come up with incentive packages to attract new investors and take them into confidence.

Chairman of Finance Committee of parliament Prakash Jwala expressed dissatisfaction with the formation of the authority in a short-cut manner. He said it was not clear whether that new body was for reconstruction or new construction. “A working authority was essential, but that could not happen,” he added. Jwala said the government lacked solid proposal for development partners and the latter too were confused. He said the authorities have been saying that the Post-disaster Needs Assessment report was just a preliminary one.

Senior RPP leader Prakash Chandra Lohani said political stability and strong leadership are keys for success of the authority formed for reconstruction. He commented that the proposal presented by Bhattarai at the interaction was too open-ended, while the ordinance of the government was restrictive, so Parliament should find a solution through a middle path.

He said positions in the authority seem to have been created for certain individuals. He also said lack of local bodies’ participation would hamper implementation of plans. He further said the government should begin reconstruction work in certain sectors, including tourist destinations, right away as it had the budget.

Former governor of Nepal Rastra Bank Yubaraj Khatiwada said that to prevent duplication of the authority’s works, other bodies should be dissolved.