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Initiation of Royal Development Project in Nepal

BY SURESH ACHARYA



Preamble:

His Majesty Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev as a Royal Highness has been dedicated to nature and wildlife conservation work since a decade or more. This has earned His Majesty the distinction of being one of the world's leading conservationists.

Following the accession of the throne of the Kingdom of Nepal in 2001, a new avenue has opened up for Him to contribute not only in the area of nature conservation but also in wider spectrum of socio-economic development issues. The apparent scope of such contribution could be in the areas related to development of agriculture and co-operative farming, preservation of environment and conservation, eco-tourism and vocational training, rural and cottage industries, rural banking and co-operative savings, jobs and income creation, public health and education, water resources development and alternative energy, safe drinking water and micro-irrigation, information and communication technology, community based small infrastructure development and various other demand-driven community welfare programmes.

Background:

The Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej has been engaged in development work following his accession to the throne as a constitutional monarch in 1951. This has earned him a good international recognition as well as regards and esteem among his masses. King Bhumibol has initiated about 2,300 projects in his country covering wide range of fields. The Office of the Royal Development Projects Board (RDPB) is responsible for these projects. Likewise, the members of the Privy Council are commanded to assist the King in overseeing the development and progress of the numerous Royally initiated projects. This unique mechanism evolved by King Bhumibol for effective management of development works and environment has helped bring about necessary changes in Thai society.

At present, there are six Royal Development Study Centres (RDSC) located in different parts of Thailand. King Bhumibol has initiated the establishment of these Centres to serve as a "successful demonstration model". Most of the Royal Projects are implemented at the Royal Development Study Centres established by the King for the nation. Every year tens of thousands of people including farmers, researchers, industrialists and students visit these "Living Natural Museums". This has increased Thai people's gratitude to their King. People have realized his generosity in giving these Centres to them and in showing how to develop Thailand's land, water, air, natural resources and sources of energy in harmony with human way of life so as to produce income for those who make use of his ideas and vision.

These Centres conduct research and experimentation on development methods and technology which are disseminated to the people, and applied to particular area or region according to their actual conditions and nature of the problems. To familiarize himself with his people and the situation of all seventy-five provinces of Thailand, King Bhumibol has set aside approximately two hundred days out of each year visiting the rural areas with the determination to resolve the problems faced by the people and to improve their standard of living. The Royal Projects are initiated and launched according to King Bhumibol's wishes, vision and proposals. The government of Thailand does not interfere in these Royal Projects but are approved, recognized and funded by it.

Principles of Thailand's Royally initiated Project:

Thai King has become not only the most traveled monarch in Thailand's history but also the best informed about a wide range of rural difficulties. Thai King learns first-hand, from the people themselves, of the local conditions and problems. After having put them at their ease, He converses with the local inhabitants and learns from them the problems with which they are faced as they themselves perceived the situation. After consulting further with the officials concerned, Thai King makes his own conclusions about the problems, including the causes and the possible methods to redress them. Upon his return to Bangkok, or sometimes even on the spot, He will share what He has learned with the members of the Government, requesting them to assist and give support to the people wherever feasible. Thai King is not just the Head of State, he has also become a key factor in the development of the country. One of the best-known development theories suggested by King Bhumibol is "the New Theory". The New Theory has several advantages. It is uncomplicated, easily implemented, and does not involve costly technology. It has been tried and tested, and has produced satisfactory results. Farmers who have followed this theory have become self-sufficient and self-reliant.

There are at least three sets of very important principles behind Thailand's Royal Project. The first basic principle is that of an integrated approach, not only in terms of integrating the various sectors, but also with regard to spatial and institutional factors, as well as environmental conservation.

The second important principle behind the Royal Project is what might be called a people-oriented approach. The key element of these projects has always been the central importance given to the people whom the projects are intended to help. These are developed only after extensive consultations with the local population, thus ensuring their ownership and participation in implementing the projects. They would also seek to ensure that basic human needs were met as a precondition for further development.

The third fundamental principle underlying the Royal Project is its area-specific nature. The projects are notable for the fine degrees of differentiation in their specific provisions not only according to the physical but also socio-cultural environment.

Importance of Royal Project in Nepal:

The involvement of the King in the day to day affairs of the country is limited being a Constitutional Monarch whereas, there is an ample space within the parameters of the constitution where the King can occupy himself pro-actively in all aspects of developmental, social, cultural, religious and community welfare works accordingly to Constructive Monarchy. It is an added advantage that King Gyanendra has established a proven track record of a successful champion of participatory development.

His Majesty's Government of Nepal (HMG/N) is pursuing Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) since 2003. Consequently, the Royal Project- in consonance and coordination with the PRS can contribute achieving (i) sustainable and broad-based economic growth with an emphasis on the rural economy; (ii) accelerating human development through improved delivery of basic social services and economic infrastructure; (iii) ensuring social and economic inclusion of the poor, marginalized groups and less developed regions; and (iv) vigorously pursuing good governance to achieve better development results, and ensure social and economic justice.

In addition, the need of proposed Royal project in Nepal is due to the following reasons:

? This will set in motion a process of continuous contacts and interactions of the King (and the Crown Prince) with the people particularly poor and marginalized populace.

? King's august involvement and guidance will open up opportunities to pilot innovative and promising approaches in the field of development and poverty reduction.

? Patronage of the King in Royal Project will allow the application of the highest standards of transparency and accountability, which would serve as a model for wider replication in HMGN's development programmes.

? Familiarize with the problems, which the grass-root people are facing, and create a positive impact on national life.

? Help improve productivity of public resources through leadership and transparency, and control rampant corruption, and misuse and misappropriation of scarce resources.

? Increase focus and concern towards development works, and broadens people's participation in development activities. With partnership with the civil society will help inclusion of economically and socially disadvantaged groups in the mainstream of socio-economic process.

? Will ensure service delivery and development efforts at rural areas especially in conflict-affected areas. To continue implementing the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) of HMG/N in the conflict-affected areas, there is a need to diversify the modalities of public service delivery. In this aspect, with people's broader participation and ownership the Royally initiated projects by their virtue of being apolitical in nature, can contribute bringing development and reforms at those areas where the need is acute.

? Facilitate de-politicization of development institutions and works.

Institution of Royal Project:

As a first step towards the institution of Royal Project in Nepal, it would be appropriate to make public by the government in its annual policy and programmes taking a lead. In the absence of a functioning parliament at present, with the consent and approval of the government a Royal Ordinance/Charter can institute the Royal Project for the first time.

The system of operation of the Royal Project will be as follows:

? Under the Royal Patronage Raj Parishad (or Royal Council) the constitutional body- shall govern, coordinate and monitor the overall works of the proposed Royal Project, and in coordination with the Prime Minister's Office can seek funding from donor and aid agencies as per its requirement. It will oversee the execution of works through its proposed Implementing Agency. According to Part 6, Clause 34 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal the functions, duties and powers of the Raj Parishad are wide ranging and varied, and the scope of it's participation in development activities are understandable not only that it has the obligation to submit recommendations on matters referred to it by His Majesty; and to carry out the functions relating to the Royal Family as specified by His Majesty, it has also the authority to make necessary rules to regulate its business.

? The budgetary provisions for the Royal Project shall be made in the Finance Minister's Annual Budget Speech. Suggested allocation should be around 1.0 to 2.0% of total annual national budget outlay. But, for the first time, the government shall allocate amount that is required to set-up the functionaries of the Project.

? The detail programmes and projects to be undertaken under the framework of Royal Project will be formulated and implemented by Royal Project Implementing Agency, a body constituted by Raj Parishad (or Royal Council). The Royal Project Implementing Agency will be comprised of a chairperson, five members (including one ex-officio member) and a member-secretary. The Prime Minister's nominee shall function as an ex-officio member of the Agency. The Royal Project Implementing Agency (like Thailand's RDSC) will hire and mobilize experts, professional and community as per the requirement of the programmes under a stipulated set of rules and regulations.

? Implementation of programmes is proposed to be evaluated annually by a "Team of experts/intellectuals/consultants and a nominee of the Prime Minister. Partnering donor/aid agencies can be represented in the team if deemed necessary.

In order to ensure a positive response to this initiative from HMG/N's machineries, political parties and Nepal's development partners- it would be emphasized that the Royal Project Implementing Agency- is not at all intended as a parallel institution to bypass HMG/N organizations. Rather, it should be emphasized that Raj Parishad and it's proposed development functionaries will work in partnership with HMG/N; that all financial transfers will be made transparent through the budget; that release mechanisms and books of accounts will comply with HMG/N financial regulations; that Auditor's Report will be tabled annually to Parliament's PAC; that project proposals will be screened and vetted with concerned government agencies in order to avoid possible duplication of efforts; that project outcomes will be thoroughly monitored and evaluated; and that progress and final reports will be tabled to Parliament on a regular basis.

Conclusion:

The Royal Patronage of the community and development works under the framework of proposed Royal Project will have an upbeat and multi-dimensional impact on the national life and Institution of Monarchy. This in turn will broaden the responsibilities and role of Monarchy corresponding to the dynamic changes taking place in the society and globally. The proposed Royal Project through effective implementation of the development programmes would certain to benefit the Nepalese society particularly the rural poor and socially excluded groups. Furthermore, the Royal Project can also contribute in the development process finding solutions to the problems arisen due to political oversight and omissions, and other constraints particularly in the far-flung areas of Nepal. On top of that, the Institution of Monarchy is a stockpile of vast experiences and knowledge that it has accumulated since centuries. In accordance with, the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal the King designates Raj Parishad (or the Royal Council) member/s from among persons who, being renowned in different fields of national life, or who, having rendered distinguished service to the nation. Additionally, Raj Parishad (or the Royal Council) is the only constitutional body in Nepal which is the single largest source of knowledge, and the co-operative of accomplished and seasoned leaders representing all sectors of the Nepalese society. Besides that its apolitical and non-partisan constitutional characteristics and nature are added advantage. Shouldn't the Nepalese people and government exploit these great resources?

(The author is an officer at the Royal Palace Press Secretariat)

(Reproduced from a souvenir published by Raj Parishad.)

Pade_Queen_no.1 Sister,
It's too long ... ... ...
Would you mind to summarize it in around 3 lines.

OK DadaGiri, BTW I'm not a girl OK,

I haven't read the whole thing either. I'll try to give you a brief summary, however.

The royal secretariat, of course, on the behest of Gyanendra, wants to start a Royal Project (RP). It is based on Thai model: the Thai King Bhumibol has initiated thousands of people oriented projects, so at the end not only the people of Thailand have benefitted from the king's largesse and benevolence, the king also has equally got an opportunity to be closer to his people. The objective of the Nepali model is to bring Gyanendra and Paras closer to the poeple by the means of people oriented projects. Now the moot question is where all the money will come from, will Gyanendra relinquish all his worldly possession for his poor prajas and become a sudama? I don't think so. The money will be diverted from the annual national budget - the plan is to divert 1-2% of it to the Royal Project.

Gyane jatha ra paras chor afno bata SUKO diye na M**i marijau... ajai chayakkan khancha hola tyai 1, 2% bata pani... Jatho haru ko maan nai chaina... muji magne haru... sabai arkako paisa ma moj gareko cha.

( Lu ja ta, street style ma)

Pade queen is not a girl re? :o REALLYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?
Or r ya implying ur a woman? Damn... if indeed ur a man.. dude.. u talke so much like a girl b4... when ya were goin blah blah abt some koirala, thapa, some rana sometyam back in sajha... opening their nali beli... (most of them were half truth nyways :p, I know)...and what abt ur name :o. Just curious..
Anyetha nasochi dinu holaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa :)

IndisGUIse:)

Indisguise,
I am not a FEMALE. That's it.
Regarding my inside knowledge of the supposed clandestine affairs of various personalities, its not that I know any of them personally, honestly, I have not seen most of their faces in my life. Yes! I have lots of cousins and friends back home and from time to time I get to hear all the juicy juicy news of Katnmandu from them. I think that's enough to satiate your thirst.

Tyaso bhaye timro cousin haru le ada satye tha pauda raicha ani US ma export garda raicha :)...
And wot about u have long long hair bhaneko ?? i thought u were a girl... darn.
If its not too much of a trouble... whats witht he nick? :P

Anyetha nasochdinu holaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
IndisGUise:)

I never said I had long-long hair, I said I have plenty of hair which means thick hair on my head [not thick head hai] i:)

Also Indisguise, What ya mean by half-truths? Then what's the Truth? Why don't you disclose the Truth, right here at Sajha then?

Due to respect to their privacy, i choose not to. What u and other chatter box were doing was your business. In this regard, i choose not to jump in the bandwagon... for it might displease my loved one/loped ones.

Besides, do u think its appropriate to discuss non public person's life history in sajha? Just wondering. Again, to each to their own. But i can vouch by one thing. Both of ur informations or lack of thereof was at best, half truth. Some were outdated/ irrelevant, b4 marriage and afta marriage stuff and some ofcourse were more true than others. Thats all i got to say.

IndisGUISe:)

Indisguise,
The people I have written about here at Sajha are in public-domain. And remember if you are a neta/abhineta, then you should learn to carry yourself well becos people are constantly watching you, otherwise, you should be ready to get your dosage of brick-bats.

I agree you are the paragon of virtue, love and the embodiment of TRUTH. I am your opposite. I am the caterer and purveyor of HALF-TRUTHS.

" I am your opposite. I am the caterer and purveyor of HALF-TRUTHS. "
---------------------> Bhandaima arka ko nali beli , without any cross reference yesari public ma rakhnu alik niko hoina ki bhaneko matra. And another thing, since when did docters, bankers and etc all became public people. In case u forgot which post i a refering to, its abt some rana, some thapa some koirala blah blah.. ko kasko ko sanga affair and what not...are they public ppl??????

"I agree you are the paragon of virtue, love and the embodiment of TRUTH"
--------> Thanks for putting me in such a high regard :). Irrespective of the motive, i shall welcome ur annotates:).

One suggestion, being obdurate in ones judgement might be a lil puerile. If i may, , succinctly, often its best to mind our own business. Anyetha nasochdinu holaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa:)

IndisGUise:)

Hello, can we move on now. I don't want to delve in this matter anymore.

LASTLY, You stand by your TRUTH. I stand by my HALF-TRUTH. Bingo, now we have status-quo regarding this issue.

But what is this TRUTH you have been harping again and again all about?

"Hello, can we move on now. I don't want to delve in this matter anymore. "
----- This is what u started ur response with.

"But what is this TRUTH you have been harping again and again all about? "
----> This is how u ended it. :)

And now you tell me, which one shall i entertain/obey first? Please note, I can only stand good on one count. Hehe:)
Think about it .

LOL
IndisGUIse:)

I didn't ask you to reveal anything, did I?

"But what is this TRUTH you have been harping again and again all about? "
-------------> If it is not askin to REVEAL the TRUTH ( read as PRIVATE INFORMATION), what is ?

( Doesn't even look like rhetorical question. Anyways, you can insist it's one and end the discussion :) ):p

Anyetha nasochdinu holaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa,
IndisGuise:)

Pade Queen if you are not a woman than why a woman's identity, or do you feel like a woman inside , just wondering ... do you cross dress????? if not can you explain why a woman's name???

Indisguise wrote-
And wot about u have long long hair bhaneko ?? i thought u were a girl... darn.
If its not too much of a trouble... whats with the nick? :P


the sarwasadharan sajha janta wants to know what's with the nick????

"Pade Queen if you are not a woman than why a woman's identity, or do you feel like a woman inside , just wondering ... do you cross dress????? if not can you explain why a woman's name??? "

Hahahaha Gorkhali....

Pakkai gahiro katha hola :)

PQN1... la aba afno nali beli khola yaha...start with a name ( sajha nick) please. Its a request :).
Curious ta ma pani chu.. like gorkhali pointed out.

IndisGUise:)

P.S: My intention is not to make fun of you, but could not help laughing :). If you feel offended, my sincere apology.

I am like Gandhi's tin bandar -
I don't wana see anything bad, ugly or beautiful; I don't want to get enticed and allured by things of this illusionary world; I want to be purblind to .....; I don't wana hear anything bad about other people; I don't wana speak much, I don't wana backbite, I wana weigh my words before I speak.

AMEN


Indisguise and Gorkhali X:

Janam tero bato me bit gayo, re tune kaba hun Krishna kahyo

Ke agra na gagra ko kura garcha.....

"I want to be purblind to .....; I don't wana hear anything bad about other people; I don't wana speak much, I don't wana backbite, I wana weigh my words before I speak. "

Yo ta kehi pattaki milena... lekhana payo bhandai ma pade queen bina sitta hawa dari nalekhana. Timile bhaneko statement ma yeuta kehi mileko dekhdina ma ta. Pleae read the above two lines that i have pasted from ur post. And read again and again and again. Perhaps u would understand wot i am saying :)

ke bhanyo tyo Jana sanam... kura ghumaune PQN1?
Hahahahha... aba kura ghumayooooooooooooooooooooo hahaha

IndisGuise:)