De-federalize civil service and police, says Chief Minister Yadav

KATHMANDU: Chief Minister of Madhesh State Saroj Kumar Yadav has said that the State government is capable of carrying out any function, if provided with the civil servants and police personnel under its disposal.

Talking to media person about the potentials and challenges of the State government, he said nothing can be done with only ministers and chief minister if there are not enough working personnel. “Hence, it is our request to the central government to complete adjustment of the civil service and the police.”

Stating that the speed of development of the country can accelerate only if State governments are allowed to function to their full capacity, he suggested that the federal government should pass and implement the Civil Service Act immediately.

Also the former speaker of the State, he said the state police is needed to maintain law and order and combat corruption.

Stating that the State level has had to suffer the most since the country adopted a federal form of governance, he shared that the State government and the leadership of the State Assembly had to start by purchasing furniture to operate the day to day office due to the lack of physical infrastructure.

As structures were already in place at the federal and local levels they did not have to suffer like the States, who had to start from scratch.

Furthermore, the State governments and the people at large continue to suffer due to the huge deficit of employees in the State.

He also claimed that his neutral and impartial role as the Speaker of the State Assembly in the Madhesh had resulted in the regular and smooth operation among the seven State assemblies.

Madhesh State unanimously passed 55 bills and also the government’s annual budget in all the five years. As all the political parties of Madhes province are in favor of federalism, it has been easy to function and perform, he said.

Despite the challenges, many progress have been made in the field of development and construction as well as service delivery, Chief Minister Yadav said including drafting of various laws to establishing universities.

Meanwhile, Minister of Social Development of Madhesh State, Surita Kumari Shah, said even though the form of governance has changed in the country, the way of working of employees has not changed. Hence, they should be transformed as per the spirit of federalism.

She mentioned that since the center has not been able to enact laws on time it is a challenge to the functioning of the State. “We are having difficulty in getting the required support from the central and local levels,” she said.

Minister Shah said though the development works of the State is progressing effectively issues related to health, education and agriculture inputs are yet to be addressed properly.