We’re in constant talks for federal laws: Chief Minister Jamkattel

Born in the erstwhile Kiranchowk Village Development Committee of Dhading district in 1973, Shalikram Jamkattel is now Chief Minister of Bagmati Province.

He was elected to the Bagmati Provincial Assembly from Dhading Constituency-1 (B) in the election held in November 2022, and was appointed Chief Minister in January 2023. 

He was also elected to the Bagmati Provincial Assembly in the 2017 election and served as Minister for Internal Affairs and Minister for Law. 

Jamkattel who completed his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Law has been serving as the Chairman of the All Nepal Federation of Trade Union, affiliated to the CPN (Maoist Centre) since 2003.

Earlier in 2007, he was nominated in the reinstated House of Representatives and was elected to the Constituent Assembly from Dhading-3 in 2008. 

Gorkhapatra Corporation’s Consultant Editor Upesh Maharjan and video journalist Manoj Ratna Shahi recently talked to Chief Minister Jamkattel about his achievements, his plans and other political issues. Excerpts: 

You have been serving as the Chief Minister of Bagmati Province since January 2023. What plans do you have to make Bagmati Province prosperous?

The Bagmati Province is making some important decisions while also passing policies and moving towards implementing them. In the field of infrastructure, preparations have been made for the Provincial Road Master Plan, and work is underway to blacktop the rural roads. We are trying to balance the development of both urban and rural areas.

There is a shortage of teachers and students in community schools. There is a need to change educational policies and curricula to increase students. Schools need to be merged. Nursing classes are being conducted in schools. We are also planning to operate Bagmati University. 

We have considered the failure of the government in agricultural production and employment creation despite spending millions. We could not achieve the expected results while distributing agricultural grants focusing on individual investment for one fiscal year. At present, we have selected 85 local levels. Each of them will grow each specific produce. We have brought many groups together at the community level. A new model has been prepared consisting of 60 per cent of the investment from the provincial government, 20 per cent from local bodies and 20 per cent from the community level.

A new policy focusing on building capacity and generating employment to youth has been introduced. For this, training sessions are being conducted. Additional infrastructure has been prepared to improve the transportation sector. We have also introduced the housewife programme, Dalit development programme and Chiuri (butter tree) and Chamero (bat) development programme for the marginalised Chepang community.

Priority is given to drinking water and irrigation. We will make Bagmati Province self-reliant on timber by utilising the fallen and rotten trees from the forest area.

After assuming the office of the Chief Minister, I focused on policy formulation for one fiscal year. For the next four years, I will work to implement them. We have done what other provinces have not done, making us proud to say that the province did what the federal government failed to do.

It has been long since federalism was introduced in Nepal. What activities are being carried out to make the public feel the presence of federal structure? 

The Provincial Assembly has amended some important laws. On the recommendation of the Language Commission, we have passed bills for the Nepal Bhasa, spoken by the majority of people in the province, and the Tamang language. They will come into force from May 6 this year.  

Similarly, we have introduced the Provincial Civil Service Act and Local Level Employee Management Act. We made significant changes in the health sector. Hospitals in Hetauda and Bhaktapur have been expanded to 300 beds. In addition, hospitals in Dhading, Nuwakot, Sindhuli and other districts were expanded to 100 beds by adding 50 beds. Likewise, hospitals with 25 beds were expanded to 50 beds. We are now formulating laws and procedures for its implementation. 

We focused the fiscal year 2023/24 on making policies so that it will be easy to implement them in future. We will play a role in making entire Nepal prosperous, not just Bagmati Province. 

How is Bagmati civilisation being revived for cultural federalism while linguistic federalism is in the implementation phase? 

We have raised the issue since past. The Newa: Rastriya Mukti Morcha submitted a 17-point memorandum to us on April 21. It raised issues regarding civilisation, heritage, culture and history. Minister for Tourism, Culture and Urban Development Shailendra Man Bajracharya was also present while submitting the memorandum. We are planning to swiftly implement those demands. Newa civilisation in Kathmandu, the capital of the country, is the main civilisation of the country. In Bagmati Province, Tamang civilisation stands second. We have focused on the preservation of art, culture, language, history and other facets of both civilisations. Additionally, we will introduce laws for the preservation of tangible and intangible heritages like temples, ponds and guthis linked to these civilisations.

What is your say on the ongoing discussion about the increasing difficulties faced by the provinces in carrying out their work? 

It is indeed true that we are facing difficulties due to delays in formulating federal laws. The Civil Service Act, Education Act and Police Adjustment bills have not been endorsed. The structures expected to come under the provinces have not yet been transferred. Despite difficulties, we are working with what is available. We have been working satisfactorily by enacting laws and regulations in the provinces. We are in constant dialogue with the government regarding federal laws. Representatives from all provinces are frequently discussing the issues with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' and the ministers of the Federal Government.  

What efforts are being made for coordination and cooperation between the federal, provincial and local levels?

We have established an organisation called the Chief Ministers' Forum collectively, and I am its coordinator. We are making collective efforts. The Prime Minister has shown willingness and enthusiasm for the implementation of federalism. We are fully optimistic.

It is said that implementation of financial federalism has been hindered due to the provinces that are not economically developed, what do you say?

No, federalism has been implemented financially. Our experiences in some situations have also taught us this. Rather than focusing solely on acquiring rights, we are primarily concerned with what kind of constitution we have promulgated. Some factors such as geographical, social complexities and international relations affect federalism. Therefore, we cannot say that financial federalism is not implemented considering the Constitution. The central government needs to increase grants in all provinces. As our needs grow, we also need to increase economic resources. It is appropriate to increase grants and resources as it is the provinces mainly responsible for development. 

Is it true that the expenditure of Bagmati Province is more than that of the federal government?

Upon hearing the news, I have taken it seriously. For that, I have formed a study group. We will bring out the truth on the current and capital expenditures. The news has been reported in the budget section overall, but there is no analysis there. There are errors in it. If there are errors from our side, we will correct them, but what came out in the news is not true. There is little unnecessary expenditure. There are less arrears. The province is financially transparent. 

Kathmandu residents complain about the lack of presence of the provincial government. How do you gain their trust?

What you have said is correct. It seems like the provincial government did not pay attention to Kathmandu while distributing projects. But provincial plans did not fall into Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. We don’t need to develop Kathmandu Metropolitan much and the budget allocated to it is enough for the development and construction. However, the entire budget is not being utilised there. There is not much to do in the sector of development. Therefore, instead of focusing on development construction, we are paying attention to linguistic and cultural policies to support the people. It is inappropriate for the people there to say that that they have felt the presence of the provincial government.

What message would you like to give on behalf of the Bagmati province which is also leading other provinces?

All provinces have been working in cooperation and utilising their capacities respectively. Nepali federalism implies a federalism of mutual existence and cooperation model. Our constitution has a provision for that. Federalism particularly involves cooperation and collaboration for development and prosperity, especially in the areas of mutual assistance and cooperation. All provinces share common agendas and we have raised those issues collectively. We have been working by exchanging experiences with each other. Other provinces are trying to implement the good works of the province. We are in cooperation and our relationship is good. We need to move ahead to strengthen federalism by coordinating with all provinces.