The Implementation Gap in Federal Nepal: A Study of Decentralization and Local Governance in Rautahat District

Abstract

Background: Decentralization, a widely practiced strategy to reach the grassroots level for meeting local peoples’ needs, is considered as the foundation of democracy.

Objective: The basic purpose of this study is to evaluate the status and implications of decentralization in Nepal's federal democratic structure focusing in Rautahat district in Madhesh Pradesh.

Methods: The study has used mixed method of qualitative as well as quantitative designs. The research is primarily qualitative analysis supported by quantitative results and the findings of qualitative as well as quantitative analysis have been triangulated with each other to concertize the arguments.

Results: Despite of local units’ presence since historic period in Nepal, decentralization policy was brought in mid-nineties but was not implemented as per the spirit. The study finds that Nepal's 2015 federal Constitution devolved significant executive, legislative and judicial powers to the local governments but there is implementation constrain due to centralized political and bureaucratic culture, absence of effective institutional capacity, and limited resources. The challenges are more acute in the Terai/Madhesh region due to weak education status. Local governments are satisfactory in traditional functions but not in economic and social upliftment.

Conclusion: The local government has crucial role in protecting fundamental right. Accountability framework is lagging in local governments of federal Nepal. Public participation needs to be enhanced in local development process. The study recommends to strengthen institutional capacity, enhance accountability mechanisms, address socio-culture barriers, and ensure adequate resource.

Novelty: The study contributes in understanding democratic potential of decentralization and local governance of federal Nepal in evidence of Terai/Madhesh.