ANNOUNCEMENTS
Nepal‟s transition to federal system of governance, after adoption of a secular, republican constitution in 2015, created new set of opportunities as well as challenges for public policymaking at sub-national level. Karnali province, one of 7 provinces carved out, was formed on the principles of cooperative federalism, autonomy and political decentralisation. Development scenario of Karnali province is characterised by high social inequality and low human development, due to which public policy measures are considered as best possible solutions to address these twin developmental challenges. Acute levels of gender disparity and caste-based discrimination and marginalisation has led to socio-economic and political exclusion of women, Dalits, ethnic groups and thus deprivation and impoverishment. Karnali province is the most impoverished and backward among all 7 provinces, with HDI score 0.427 and MDPI score 51.2 against national average of 0.49 and 28.6 respectively. To address the development needs and reduce deprivation, Karnali province government has formulated and implemented key policies aimed at social protection and livelihood enhancement.
This research study aims to review and analyse the public policy process in Karnali province focussing on 3 flagship policies related to employment, gender and social empowerment, viz. Chief Minister Employment Program, Chief Minister Dalit Income Generation Program and Bank Account for Girl Child program. This is a qualitative study that seeks to identify key issues and gaps in all stages of policy process: agenda setting, policy formulation, policy adoption, policy implementation, policy monitoring and evaluation with institutional scope spread across federal, provincial and local levels. It was found that public policy process in Karnali province has been marred by constraints of resources, lack of sufficient deliberation, legal and institutional gaps. These policies were found to be strongly placed in terms of gender equity but need much improvement to address social inclusion issues in Karnali province. Despite strong policy intent and policy content, policy process appears to fall short of being inclusive, discursive and deliberative.
As gender and social exclusion is the major driver of underdevelopment and deprivation in the province, gender equity and social inclusion should be the key priorities of the policy process. Policy success and sustainability depends on the fair distribution of development dividends and justifiable benefit sharing and social justice. GESI integration and mainstreaming is the first and foremost pre-condition for achieving sustainable development. GESI integration and mainstreaming should be a priority at all stages of policy process.
Keywords: Equity, Inclusion, Public Policy, Institutions, Sustainable Development.
