The government’s annual policy and programme for the coming year (2006-07) marks, first of all, a departure from tradition in that the new amendment to the Constitution stipulates that the Prime Minister, instead of the King, shall read it in Parliament. However, as Koirala was in hospital, deputy prime minister K P Oli did it on his behalf. The national budget is supposed to be based on this document, which is likely to draw mixed reactions — those who want an overhaul of the state’s socio-economic structure are expected to view it as too tame, while those, including most of the constituents of the seven-party alliance (SPA), are likely to hail it as far-reaching. As the government’s policy and programme represents the mood of the country at a particular time, people will look for the spirit of the Jana Andolan II reflected in it and the budget this time. On this point, however, there may be disagreements.

Indeed, the document presented Sunday deals with the issues of interim constitution, interim government, implementation of the accords between the Maoists and the SPA (or its government), and the holding of free and fair constituent assembly (CA) elections. Peace and a political solution within a democratic framework are the country’s top priorities. Those who think the government is doing too little in addressing the concerns of the Jana Andolan say the document makes no commitment to take action against those who tried to do down the Jana Andolan; is silent on the monarchy as well as on the property of the royal family; does little by way of changing the state structure and uplifting the marginalised groups; shows no firmness in introducing radical land reform. The document only speaks of apportioning land between landlord and tenant more clearly.

But what one should understand is that the present government is an interim one. Its single most important task is to pave the way for the CA polls. The 2006 Declaration of Parliament and the subsequent constitutional amendment have rendered the King powerless, brought the army under civilian control, and declared Parliament supreme. The fate of the monarchy, the questions of socio-economic restructuring and representation of the marginalised groups are things that the Constitution drawn up after the CA polls is supposed to address. The document includes some positive features, such as a focus on rural development, a special programme for the Karnali zone, and the commitment to make all the state news media autonomous, self-sustaining and competitive. But the hindering factor of financial resources necessary to implement these programmes cannot be brushed aside. Besides, such commitments are not new. What has, however, always been sorely lacking is the will to put them into action. In the case of the media, successive governments’ pledges have proved hollow. When in power, the parties have never shown any inclination to shed control of the media. In a functioning democracy this is downright tragic.