With the delay in the formation of the interim government, development activities in many districts have virtually come to a standstill. Kapilvastu is a case in point. Around 60 million rupees the government set aside for developmental works in this district has not been released as the village development committees (VDCs) concerned have failed to come up with concrete plans and programmes. The VDC secretaries, on their part, complain that the Maoists have not allowed the village councils to sit to deliberate and decide on their programmes. The Maoists, on the other hand, are adamant that they will not allow the VDC councils to sit until they are inducted in the government. The result has been that the 77 VDCs slated to receive a portion of the budget of Rs 500,000 each in three-instalments are yet to receive even the first instalment.

Though the Maoists might be right to some extent in saying that most VDCs are mismanaged and rife with corruption, they need to realise that vital programmes concerning poverty alleviation, education and basic healthcare for all cannot be postponed until the formation of the interim government, whenever that comes into being. And no matter how corrupt and mismanaged government line agencies are, they have not been entirely ineffective. Surely, the Maoists would not like to be seen as working against the general interests, something which might jeopardise their chances in the upcoming CA polls.