Rekha Shrestha

Kathmandu, April 14:

The first phase of Integrated Peace and Development Programme (IPDP) is most likely to be implemented in some insurgency-affected districts in the next fiscal year. “IPDP was discussed recently during the National Development Forum’s (NDF) pre-consultation meeting and probably the government will implement the programme by next year at least in a few districts,” an official at the National Planning Commission said.

The discussion on IPDP implementation will continue in the NDF meet, which is expected to help the government seek fund to launch the programmes. However, officials at the Ministry of Local Development say IPDP was left to rot in officialdom not because of lack of donors.

According to an official at the ministry, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) had shown interest to support the programme as per the proposal submitted by the Local Development Ministry. “But the programme could not be implemented due to lack of proper mechanism and specific implementing agency,” he told The Himalayan Times. Also lacking is the coordination between different government agencies. For instance on one hand NPC is the core agency for planning whereas, on the other a technical sub-committee was formed under the coordination of secretary at the Local Development Ministry that included officials from the ministries of Defence, Home and Foreign Affairs, as well as the NPC and security agencies to plan programmes and identify districts.

There is a main committee headed by Prime Minister that had approved the IPDP long time back. Also existing are the district committees to implement the programme. However, all of them point fingers at each other when work is concerned. “Last year it was decided to implement the programmes on drinking water supply, irrigation and road construction in Rukum and Jajarkot under IPDP but no one knows what has happened to this plan now,” said another senior official at the ministry.

The government upgraded the Integrated Security and Development Programme (ISDP) into IPDP to expedite the existing development projects in the insurgency-affected region with an aim to establish sustainable peace. Its main objective is to provide security and development in areas affected by the conflict, maintain law and order, protect government property and promote peace process through awareness and communication strategies. Although ISDP was planned to be implemented in seven districts, initially it was launched only in Gorkha, where Royal Nepal Army (RNA) constructed roads. “Gorkha was a success and RNA is always ready to provide security but the government lacks fund and seriousness to implement IPDP,” added a high-ranking army official.

If everything goes well, the IPDP will be launched in 20 districts including Rukum, Rolpa, Jajarkot, Salyan, Dang, Kalikot, Dailekh, Surkhet, Jumla, Aachham, Kavre, Sindhupalchowk, Sindhuli, Rammechhap, Lalitpur, Makwanpur, Dhading, Gorkha and Lamjung in a phase-wise basis.