Presentation on “Devolution of Power”

1. Presentation on “Devolution of Power” - By Mukti Rijal

2. Devolution of Power Decentralization means: i) Transfer of power and authority from central institution to a lower or local levels of a governmental system ii) Transfer of responsibility for planning management and resource raising from central government agencies to subordinate units. Decentralization – Decentre – Reversing centralization or opposite of centre

3. Devolution of Power Various Degrees of Transfer (Forms of decentralization) i) Deconcentration: The transfer to lower levels within the central or national government itself (sectoral/spatial shifting work load without authority to decide, power to control and direct its recipient at the local level) ii) Delegation: The transfer of local government or other organizations wholly or partly outside the domain of the central govt. but remain accountable to it.

4. Devolution of Power Various Degrees of Transfer (Forms of decentralization) iii) Devolution: ♦ Clear jurisdiction ♦ Outside direct control of central govt. ♦ True form of decentralization/democratic decentralization/local autonomy /self-governance iv) Privatization: Transfer to private entities v) Debureaucratization: Transfer to voluntary or non governmental sector

5. Devolution of Power i) Differentiated and pluralist structure of govt ii) Grassroots political process iii) Participatory bottom up development iv) Sustainable development v) Appropriate planning/implementation vi) Local leadership (Nursery of leadership building) vii) Local and institutionalresource base Rationale of Devolution "My idea of decentralized governance is that it is complete republic independent of its neighbours for its vital wants and yet interdependent for many others in which dependence is a necessity" - M. K. Gandhi

6. Devolution of Power Devolution (Political Decentralization) in Nepal • Monopolistic non-competitive political devolution – (Partyless Panchayat polity) • Pluralistic competitive political devolution – (Post 1990 phase especially following the enactment of Local Self Governance act, 1999)

7. Devolution of Power Key Issues of Devolution in Nepal i) Lack of political commitment ii) Formalism vs. Realism iii) Lack of role and mandate delineation (function/functionaries) iv) Lack of institutional and resource capacity v) Patron-client relationship vi) Absence of active citizenship

8. Devolution of Power Future Strategy i) Constitutional space/recognition ii) Building block of democracy/self-governance iii) Promotion of civic national values iv)Focus on creating space for civic dialogue serving the citizens and improving social outcomes V) Resource sharing/assignment v) Concurrent/jurisdictions in case of federalism (centre and province)