ACHIVEMENTS OF NEPALI CONGRESS GOVERNMENT The Nepali Congress was first voted to power in the first general election in 1959 under the leadership of charismatic B. P. Koirala. His short stint of 18-month government was marked by radical reforms in land relations, ownership of the forests and feudal practices. The government also stripped the feudal elements of their traditional privileges. Reforms were introduced in the taxation, development planning, industry and trade. The process of socio-economic transformation remained incomplete as the Koirala govenment together with the democratic constitution was brought to an end in 1961 following a royal coup to start an era of autocratic royal rule. The Nepali Congress remained mostly in power since 1991 under the democratic constitution of 1990 following the popular movement which overthrew the notorious Panchayat regime led by the monarch. During its rule the Nepali Congress has left its legacy in many fronts which brought the country to a path of higher economic growth, poverty reduction, and progress in human development indicators. The government introduced the Eighth Five Year Plan (1992-97) and the Ninth Five Year Plan (1997-2002) with formation of National Development Council and Environment Policy Council. At the political front, it made efforts to institutionalize multi-party parliamentary democracy at the national level and local self-government both at urban and rural level through elections. The government promoted freedom of expression, independent judiciary, economic liberalization, international peace and cooperation, and administrative, educational, taxation and fiscal reforms. During the successive Nepali Congress governments, the structure of the economy underwent transformation with increased share of modern sectors like industry, trade and services. The role of private sector expanded and competetion in economic activities fostered. Under sweeping economic reforms, many loss making public enterprises were privatized; various licensing and permit systems which hindered economic growth were removed , and foreign exchange regime liberalized. Public investment got a boost in the social sector like education, health and rural development, and in the creation of infrastructure. Resettlement scheme was launched for the landless people. Poverty declined to 31 percent from a level of about 50 percent. Literacy improved to around 60 percent from about 40 in 1991. Infant and maternal mortality declined significantly. The longevity of an average Nepali increased by 10 years. Similarly, road network expanded and rural areas with access to electricity has now crossed 40 percent from a level of 10 percent in 1991. In the political front, the most outstanding landmark of the party was the initiation by the party leader G.P. Koirala to open a dialogue with the Nepal Communist Party (Maoists) with a view to bringing them to constitutional and peaceful politics. It was under his leadership a Peace Accord was signed with the Maoists which brought the more than a decade old Maoist violent insurgency to an end. He successfully brought other major constitutional parties also together on a common programme. The common programme outlined the political process which involved the management of the Maoist arms and their combatants, declaration of an interim constitution, an interim parliament and the election to the constituent assembly which will draft a new constitution for the country.
Posted on: Tue, 03 Sep 2013 06:14:07 +0000
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