Kathmandu, December 30:

Civil society members are critical of the government and the parliament because they think an inclusive government, one of the major demands during Jana Andolan II, is yet to materialise.

According to vice-president of the Nepal Bar Association Hari Prasad Uprety, the government and the parliament are not fully inclusive. Uprety said the government and the parliament did not nominate civil society members in parliament even though the Interim Constitution of Nepal-2007 has a provision for it.

“The government and the parliament have completely neglected civil society,” Uprety added. “The political parties have not recognised the contribution of the civil society during Jana Andolan,” he added “Although the political leaders claim that the government and parliament are inclusive, they have left out a large number of sectors including the private sector and many regional groups. The government is a ‘band’ of leaders from the seven-party alliance, whereas the House is a place for tea party for their cadres.” If democratic norms and values are to be followed, at least the parliament should be inclusive and voices of opposition should be heard, said Nepal Chamber of Commerce president Surendra Bir Malakar.

The private sector is touted as the engine of growth but it is neither well-treated not represented in any government or parliamentary affairs. The private sector is in a dilemma, as the government, particularly the SPA, has not yet drawn up a course of economic development for New Nepal. “We are tired of making recommendations and suggestions to the government and the political parties,” he added.

“The current government and parliament is much more inclusive as compared to the previous ones. But, there are still many things left when it comes to meet the expectations of people expressed through Jana Andolan-II,” NGO federation chairman Arjun Karki said.

The seven political parties’ government and the peace process they started after the Jana Andolan-II have not been able to represent the concerns and issues of other sectors.

“We urge the government to make the decision-making process more participatory and inclusive. In this phase of political transition, there should have been an effort to include everyone involved in the democratic movement,” added Karki. General secretary of Nepali Federation of Journalists Mahendra Bista said though a bit of inclusiveness is seen at small-size organisations, it is not at all reflected in senior positions in most of the parties.

He said that compared with party organisations, the government has become more inclusive. So far as the voices of FNJ are concerned, he said, the parties did not ignore the demands but failed to act on them.