Post-multiparty system establishment, economic management has been concentrated in a few hands: Roka
KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 8
Hari Roka, an economist, released his new book 'Vaikalpik Arthashastra' on Saturday.
It was released at a ceremony held at Pragya Doubli in Kamaladi, in the capital.
Professor Achyut Wagle, registrar of Kathmandu University; Geeta Paudyal Adhikari, member of the Planning Commission; Ghanshyam Bhusal, General Secretary of the CPN (US) Party; Umesh Chauhan, Editor-in-Chief of Kantipur Daily; and Hari Roka, author of the book, shared the panel.
The book 'Alternative Economy (Vaikalpik Arthashastra in Nepali)' contains economic and political essays on 12 different topics, such as alternative economic policy, state and economy, agricultural transformation and food security, land reform, industrial policy, monetary policy, and tax system restructuring.
Hari Roka, the book's author, stated that when the political system changes, the economic situation changes and the country progresses toward development, but this has not occurred in the case of Nepal.
"During the struggle to establish a multi-party system, it was stated that everything would be fine once it was established. However, there was no discussion about our organisational structures," he claimed. "After the multi-party system was implemented, the right to manage the economy was concentrated in the hands of a few individuals.
He claimed that the political movement had altered the system and that those in positions of leadership had not discussed or debated the economy. He stated that agriculture employs 64 percent of the labour force, but if we do not consider these individuals, there will be no development in this country.
Professor Wagle, who is also an economist, stated that problems will always arise when the economy is run by people who have no knowledge of it. He claimed that the idea that being elected by the people is a virtue does not contribute to economic development.
"The prime minister, ministers, and parliamentarians elected by the people have the legitimacy to govern. We assumed that as soon as he took the elected chair, he would be qualified to manage the economy," he stated.
Similarly, Geeta Paudyal Adhikari, a member of the National Planning Commission, stated that plans are developed at the national level but not implemented at the local level. She also stated that there is a distinction between studying and applying economics.
"The economic activity of citizens and the theory of overall economics that we teach are completely different," she said. "We sit at the centre, making policies and big economic plans, but we have not considered why they can not be implemented."
She added that there was no discussion about the economy among politicians and policymakers, so the plan could not be implemented.
Ghanshyam Bhusal, General Secretary of the CPN (US) Party, stated that the definition of socialism had been corrupted. He claimed that the top leaders of socialism, including Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, have ruined it.
However, Bhusal stated that if the government resolves and acts accordingly, Nepal will be self-sufficient in agricultural produce in five years. He stated that poverty and unemployment can be eradicated in 12 years if the country moves forward in a planned manner.
Participants suggested that the political leadership hold a discussion about the foundation of the economy, which includes agriculture, industry, and employment. They claimed that there is a lack of it in the fact that politicians should discuss the economy in a systematic and thorough manner. They claimed that development was discussed, but what exactly is development and how does it work? There was no mention of human resources.
