Revised draft of constitution fails to appease private sector

KATHMANDU, Aug 13:

Three leading organizations of private sector have expressed dissatisfaction over the revised draft of the constitution, stating that political parties have failed to live up to their commitments of incorporating private sector's suggestions in the draft constitution.

Organizing a joint press conference in the capital on Wednesday, officials of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) and Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) said that the revised draft of the constitution does not include suggestions given to the government and the political leaders by the private sector.

The three organizations had separately handed over their suggestions on the preliminary draft of the constitution to Constituent Assembly (CA) Chairman Subash Chandra Nembang and leaders of political parties as soon as the draft was made public on July 7.

They expressed their dissatisfaction after suggestions given by them were not incorporated in the revised draft presented to CA on August 9.

Speaking at the press conference, FNCCI President Pashupati Murarka said, "Though CA Chairman and leaders of all the political parties had vowed make changes on economic issues in the new draft, we are surprised to know that our suggestions have not been included in the revised draft."

Stating that the phrase 'socialism-oriented economy' has been included in the draft constitution with an ill intention of controlling all services and leaving no space for the private sector, Murarka said: "Private sector all over the world believes in open market economy and has been practicing it. That is why we have demanded that the constitution should ensure open market economy."

In their suggestions on the preliminary draft, the three private sector bodies had provided suggestions on several issues related to economy, foreign investments, private sector and issues related to taxation. They had suggested to the government to adopt public-private-partnership model, focus on social security and labor flexibility, and guarantee the right to own property acquired through legal channels. Similarly, they had suggested to the government to remove 'labor right' from fundamental rights and keep it in the Labor Act, and ensure effective supply of raw materials for domestic industries, among others.

CNI President Narendra Basnyat said that the draft of constitution was focused more on political issues rather than economic issues. "Private sector is the major contributor to national economy. Country's economy cannot prosper unless genuine demands of the private sector are addressed," Basnyat said, adding, "Unfortunately, the government and political leaders are not serious about economic issues and the private sector. Such act leaves negative impact on the economy and discourages foreign investments."

Similarly, Lok Manya Golchha, officiating chairman of NCC, said that failure of the government and political leaders to address private sector's demand might widen distance between private sector and the government.

Source: Republica