Our lawmakers lack the expertise and knowledge required to address the complexities of modern governance, leading to ill-informed decisions and policies
On July 13, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Supply (MoICS) Ramesh Rijal presented the Electronic Business Bill for consideration in the National Assembly, following the standard parliamentary process. However, the subsequent debate that ensued among the lawmakers exposed some concerns about their grasp of the subject matter. The preamble of the bill explicitly stated its purpose: to regulate the transaction of goods and services through information technology, specifically online business. Unfortunately, during the debate, all the participating lawmakers, regardless of their political affiliations, seemed to deviate from the essence of the bill and focused instead on discussing electricity trade, an unrelated topic. The debate took an unexpected turn as Minister Rijal – the proposer of the bill – responded to his fellow lawmakers' inquiries by emphasising the advantages of electricity trade, rather than addressing the merits and drawbacks of online business.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the glaring lack of understanding and preparation among our lawmakers when it comes to engaging in debates on critical bills that profoundly influence the nation's economic growth and technological advancement. Regrettably, this incident is not an isolated one; on numerous instances in the past, our representatives have deviated from the core subject matter, indulging in discussions about entirely irrelevant topics, sometimes resorting to shameless gestures or inappropriate language.
In recent years, Nepal's parliament has encountered substantial challenges, primarily stemming from the lawmakers' incompetence. Their failure to effectively address critical issues and implement necessary reforms has resulted in a prevailing sense of disillusionment and frustration among the citizens. Instead of fulfilling their responsibilities, the parliament has devolved into a mere verbal battleground, with national issues being deliberately neglected.
The ruling coalition, while occasionally praised for unearthing a few corruption and financial misdeed cases, appears to derive satisfaction from these isolated achievements. However, these successes do not compensate for their overall lack of progress in addressing persistent national concerns. On the other hand, the main opposition has consistently demonstrated a pattern of obstructing parliamentary proceedings over petty issues, further exacerbating the already fragile political niche. Such behaviour reflects a lack of commitment to the greater good and a focus on partisan interests over the welfare of the nation. This conception is strengthened by the fact that the Federal Parliament has enacted only one law during the last eight months.
It is high time that the factors impeding the effective functioning of the parliament be identified and decisive steps to be taken to implement necessary reforms. Foremost among these hindrances is the persistent political instability that is plaguing Nepal's governance. Nepal has experienced a series of frequent changes in government, with coalition governments forming and collapsing frequently. These unstable governments often prioritise short-term political gains over longterm policy planning and implementation. As a result, lawmakers are often preoccupied with political maneuvering rather than focusing on addressing national issues. In addition, Nepal lacks visionary leadership. Almost all leading politicians seem more concerned about maintaining their political positions and securing their personal interests rather than serving the greater good of the nation. The absence of strong and visionary leaders results in a lack of direction and a failure to address the nation's persuasive problems.
Corruption and nepotism are also the factors that are plaguing Nepali politics for years, eroding public trust in the government. Lawmakers involved in corrupt practices prioritise their own enrichment over public welfare. This corruption has detrimental effects on the allocation of resources and the implementation of critical development projects, which often fail to reach those who need them the most.
Another significant aspect of the incompetency of Nepali lawmakers lies in their limited understanding of complex issues facing the nation. They lack the expertise and knowledge required to address the complexities of modern governance, leading to ill-informed decisions and policies that fail to address the root causes of problems. This is flagged by the provision of levitating incompetent and ignorant members of parliament through the Proportional Representation (PR) electoral system and political reservation for the underprivileged section of the society.
The snail-paced Nepali bureaucracy is also leading to delays in policy implementation and decision-making. Inadequate coordination between lawmakers and bureaucrats is severely hindering the execution of fundamental projects and reforms.
Moreover, Nepal's political landscape is heavily polarised, and lawmakers are often more concerned about advancing the interests of their political establishments than working collaboratively for the nation's benefit. This political partisanship leads to gridlock in the parliament, stalling progress on essential legislation and reforms.
The incompetency of Nepali lawmakers is an alarming concern that requires immediate attention. To restore faith in the democratic system, Nepal needs lawmakers who are dedicated, knowledgeable and committed to serving the nation's interests rather that personal welfare. Encouraging public participation, supporting grassroots movements, and promoting transparency and accountability are vital steps that would remodel a more competent and responsible parliament. It is the responsibility of both the people and the lawmakers to demand and uphold the principles of good governance and transparency.
A version of this article appears in the print on August 7, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
