Nepal Government Fails to Deliver on Good Governance Promises

Nepal’s government, led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah, has failed to deliver on its promises of good governance, transparency, and anti-corruption measures, despite making them a top priority in its 100-point work plan.

Four months into its term, the government has not made significant progress in implementing its ambitious plans, including the establishment of a national integrity policy and a digital asset declaration system.

Asset Verification Committee

The government has formed a five-member committee, led by former Supreme Court Justice Rajendra Singh Bhandari, to investigate the assets of public officials. The committee has been given the authority to collect and analyze necessary documents and make recommendations.

The committee’s mandate includes verifying the assets of high-ranking government officials and politicians, as well as those of their family members. However, the process has been slow, and the committee has yet to submit its report.

Criticism from Opposition

The main opposition party, the Nepali Congress, has criticized the government for its handling of corruption cases, alleging that it has adopted a double standard. The party has also accused the government of not taking adequate measures to address corruption and of not being transparent in its dealings.

‘The first condition of good governance is that the law should be equal for all,’ the Nepali Congress said in a statement. ‘The government is deviating from this principle and is using the law selectively.’

Other Unfulfilled Promises

The government had also promised to establish a national watchdog agency and to introduce a second national anti-corruption plan. However, these plans have yet to be implemented.

The government had also promised to make public services, including citizenship and passport services, digital and integrated. However, the implementation of these plans has been slow.

In its 100-day report card, the government had claimed to have achieved 87.2% of its targets. However, the opposition has disputed this claim, saying that the government has not made significant progress in implementing its promises.