Kathmandu, December 18:

Political parties and leaders lack sense of responsibility towards the people, a survey report stated.

“Bureaucracy is highly politicised and corrupt,” the survey report said, adding that the government is heavily centralised. According to the survey report, which was made public here today, the representation of the Dalits, Madhesis and women in legislative, judiciary and executive bodies is almost nil. Dalit respondents said they were discriminated even in the army.

The participation of poor and marginalised groups in policy-making is quite low, the survey report said.

Most of the respondents said external agencies such as the World Bank and Asian Development Bank “practically frame” policies.

According to the respondents, countries, particularly India and the USA, “exert strong influence” politically, and, at times, resort to intervention here.

Respondents of the survey accused the leaders of misusing their offices for fulfilling party interests. According to them, laws formulated to check corruption have not been implemented. Corrupt politicians and bureaucrats are not punished because mechanisms set up to check corruption are not working, the report said.

“The civil society is becoming more vibrant and influential and is becoming more aware of its rights, though a vast majority of its members are still dormant.”

Conducted by the MS Nepal in July and August 2006, the Democratic Audit assesses public opinion on diverse topics ranging from the growth of civil society to good governance.

Respondents demanded that all ethnic communities, including the Madhesis, Dalits and women be included in state mechanisms.

“The respondents argued that a federal system should be introduced,” the report said.

The issue of citizenship also figured in the survey. “The Madhesis said they had been finding it difficult to acquire citizenship, Dalits said many of their problems were procedural.”

Many respondents said the state’s legal system is expensive, complicated, sluggish, and corrupt. Respondents said political parties have rigged elections in Nepal.

“The parties are funded by businessmen and corporate houses,” the respondents said, adding the parties work for the latter.

“Respondents said the tendency of parties to work for corporate houses and businessmen is the main cause of corruption and failure of democracy,” said the report.

According to the survey, past governments did not have the integrity and political will to work for the people.

The survey was conducted in Doti, Nepalgunj, Taulihawa, Palpa Tansen, Kathmandu and Dhankuta.