Constitution Assembly (CA) members have taken sum of Rs. 1.189 billion as wages. It is one among three types of costs – pre-cost, present-cost, and post-cost.
Constitution Assembly (CA) members have taken sum of Rs. 1.189 billion as wages. They have already extended the CA tenure two times, and total 14 months time overrun. Other non-monetary costs cannot be ignored that is much higher than monitory in values. Despite such a huge cost, the CA is inefficient. Main job of the CA members is to write a new constitution, which they had promised citizens. In the period of three years two months, four different prime minister changed and there have approximately been 132 ministers. It is not only proof of inability, but also symptoms of unwillingness to write constitution because they seemed focused on their own interest. Clearly, nation is paying a huge cost in terms of monetary as well as non-monitory values.
Let’s look at pre-cost, cost which is already liability for the CA. The CA has come in existence in higher cost of citizens and it holds important meaning than any other CA. Transitioning political changes is one major responsibility of the CA. When there was civil war, many people were worrying for different things. Some are worried for survival; I was worried about my future in Nepal. Everyday news used to be about classes and death of hundreds people. Three households, who left their home and are living in Kathmandu, are my neighbor. There are lots other from different parts of the country. They left their home because of security and threat for their life. With the same fear, I even didn’t return to village for four years. When I returned village after peace-agreement, their beautiful home was in worse condition, walls were dirty and broken, half-roof fall-down, and yard was damaged. I believe there are lots of similar stories – rural people were leaving for urban areas, and urban people were leaving for abroad. There are, no doubt, lot of stories of youth, who spent many un-slept night thinking about future and career. Many bright young people left country for foreign job or in permanent residency abroad. It had been a big trend in the country and is still happening. These costs which people and country is facing are liability for CA. CA has to create values which can wipe out pain of losses, fear and tension. Only a successful transition of current political scenario and a new constitution can wipe out such tension and losses, but nothing else.
Some costs are unrecoverable. Loss of family members remains highest among them, other are destruction of development infrastructure like bridges and hydropower. Development activities have been stuck for several years. All major development tasks were stopped. Let’s look into scenario of hydropower development. Till 1992, the electricity generating capacity was total 239MW. In ten years period, 1992-2002, additional 261MW added; target was 293Mw. In 8 years period, 2002-2010, only 123MW was added; target was 419MW. Look at development in period of 2002-2010, significantly lower achievement. This was period when civil war was in its high. During period of civil war target achievement is only 29%, where previous record was 89%. Now we can imagine how development has been affected by civil war. We are already eight years behind. But we can not travel back and bring time which is already gone. However, considering such long idle period, CA should come up with constitution immediately and let door open for development.
Another cost to consider is present-cost, monitory and non-monitory both. Total sum of Rs. 1.189 billion is spent as salary and wages to CA members. That is very huge amount for country like Nepal. Each of CA members gets Rs. 51,148 monthly as wages. This covers facilities like accommodations, telephone, transportation and their personal staffing. Chairman and Vice-Chairman have higher overhead expenses. Nation has to pay sum of Rs. 375.5 million as wages every year. Total tenure of CA has been 3 years 2 months as of this day (Today is July 12, 2011). Therefore, total expense of CA is Rs. 1.189 billion till this date. Actual expenses can be more than this because each CA members are paid additional Rs. 200 as allowance for each meeting.
When peace has been restored in the country, there has been lot of expectations. Everyone is speaking slogans of New Nepal. So as new hope rises – hope of getting their left home and better future. Saroj Shrestha, living in Tokyo since 10 years, tells that he wants to come back to Nepal and do his own business. One of my neighbors returned to village. Some people, despite getting permanent residency offer from countries like Canada, UK, and Australia, still thinking to stay in Nepal. People want to forget everything and want fresh start. This is sign of new hope. Hari Sharma, political analyst, told us, “Nepalese political is in transition phase now. Basically transition is swing state. It can go forward or backward. When political situation is in transition, we really cannot predict.” He has asked not to worry about political situation which is in transition. But there is reason to worry. It is uncertain situation and CA members are losing trust of citizens. They are busy on their own problems – problem of making prime minister or to be minister, but not focused on main task. They are not serious about New Nepal, new constitution. Saroj Shrestha worries and further expresses his doubt, “will political situation really be good?’. Sometimes I also fear with current situation. We have every reason to doubt. Doubt and uncertainty is creating bigger cost to Nation. Is not CA responsible for this?
From prospective of a general public, current political situation is in stage between fear and doubt. Before peace agreement, we lived with fear because of civil war. Now, we have lot of doubt about current political and future consequences because CA is not been able to carry out its main responsibility. Consequence of this will cost country a huge sum. We can assume this as post-cost. When peace-agreement happened, people raise their hope. Now, their priority shifted to better life. Everyone dreams about New Nepal, better Nepal and better life. 601 CAs were given mandate to write new constitutions. All of sudden, it was like sunny day after rain and everyone were happy. But then, agency (political parties) problem appeared. CA members are busy on self. Government is unstable and weak, law and order are less effective, top government official are involved in corruptions. Even some of CA members found to be involved in red-passport scandal. It is signal of negativity which is the biggest thing to worry. No one can imagine how corrupt government will be in future. So, who is going to be responsible this consequences? Obliviously, one who is seeding it now. On failure of transiting current political scenario, the nation has to face a huge cost.
CA has three types of cost – pre-cost, present-cost, and post-cost. Pre cost includes losses beard by citizens before peace agreement. Current cost that is required to pay wages for CA members, and other costs are that which could result from doubt, uncertainty etc. Post-cost includes future consequences of government system because of the present carelessness of CA.
