Federalism in Nepal.

Geo physical compulsions    

        The debateon restructuring of the state in Nepal entered a critical phase after conflicting reports submitted to the Prime Minister separately by the two factions of a most controversial 'Commission on Restructuring of the State' constituted by the government. Although federalism is a commitment made by the major political parties, the future fo federalism is in oblivion attributed to lack of national consensus and understanding to design pragmatic criteria for etablishing it.

       In the world, there are altogether 148 countries including China having Unitary System and federalism in practiced in 45 countries comprising Dual Federalism, Cooperative Federalism. The Dual Federalism exists as a 'Layer-cake' in Mexico, Malaysia, Russia and also as a 'Coordinate authority' in Australia, Canada, India, Pakistan and USA. Likewise, Cooperative Federalism held its sway as 'Interdependent spheres' in Germany, Brazil and South Africa (unitary) and in the form of a 'marble-cake' in Belgium (territorial-3 and linguistic-4). The deadline for constitution-making in Nepal is approaching fast with the extremely popular verdict of the Supreme Court that Constituent Assembly of Nepal should promulgate the new constitution within the next six months of the judgement, and the Constituent Assembly term will expire on May-27, 2012. In case of failure to do so, the Supreme Court also empthatically directed for holding a referendum or alternatively to organize the next election for the CA. Thus this is the last opportunity for the CA either to do or die. The progress in constitution-making is highly exasperating, largely attributed to inefficiency and growing obsession of major political parties toward indefinitely sustaining the so called transition with the inconsequential and reprehensible role of CA. Nepal's florious civilization dates back to antiquity and the history of unified modern Nepal is in existence for over the last 240 years. The fall of monarchy and the rise of republican order resiliently demanded establishing federalism in Nepal. At this critical juncture and with the last leg of constitution making it is a great privilege for the entire Nepali populace to decide the type of federalism to be set up and the legal modus operandi to ensure sovereignty, national integrity, peace and stability, ethnic and cultural harmony and progress and prosperity in a burgeoning economy.

             To effectively establish federalism there is a need to constitute a high level expert-team of eminent authorities on various areas of federalism to scientifically determine the territory of the proposed provinces considering the population, infrastructure, natural resources, biodiverstiy, etc.