NGO Federation of Nepal (NFN) recently organized two Policy Dialogues in Lumbini and Madhesh provinces, which brought together civil society stakeholders and provincial government representatives. These events aimed to discuss the role and challenges of civil society organizations (CSOs) in the respective provinces, and a way forward. The first dialogue took place in Nepalgunj on 10th September 2024, with 59 participants, and the second was held in Janakpur on 22nd September 2024, with 68 participants. Both events highlighted the concerns around the government's treatment of CSOs and the urgent need for stronger collaboration between the government and civil society. Policy Dialogue in Lumbini Province The program was chaired by Mr. Shankar Prasad Neupane, member of NFN Lumbini province committee. Other distinguished guests included NFN Center President Mr. Ram Prasad Subedi, past president Mr. Jitram Lama, General Secretary Mr. Arjun Bhattarai, and Central Executive Committee Member Mr. Namaskar Shah. Mr. Shah, in his presentation, highlighted the pressing issues faced by CSOs in Lumbini Province. Mr. Ram Prasad Subedi, NFN President, expressed concerns over the government’s approach towards CSOs. He warned that despite CSOs' significant contributions to national development, the government has not created a conducive environment for their operations. "If the government continues to disregard the importance of CSOs, we will have to mobilize a nationwide movement," he said. Several Lumbini Provincial Assembly members, including former minister Durga Tharu, Krishna KC Nomla, and Bhandarilal Yadav, also voiced their support for CSOs. They emphasized the importance of involving civil society in the provincial government's planning and budgeting processes. The assembly members committed to addressing CSO-related issues to ensure their meaningful participation. Vice Chief District Officer (CDO) Mr. Lal Bahadur Gurung reassured the participants stating that the government would work towards creating a supportive environment for CSOs, especially in terms of registration and renewal processes. He invited organizations facing difficulties to approach his office directly. Participants from various marginalized communities—including youth, women, and the Muslim community—actively engaged in the discussions. Maimuna Siddiqui, representing the Muslim community, raised concerns about the lack of government participation and budget allocation for disadvantaged Muslim groups, particularly in Nairanapur. She urged for stronger collaboration between the government and Muslim organizations. Ms. Prijna Singh Tharu, President of NFN Bardiya district committee, highlighted the ongoing marginalization of the Sonaha community, a group not officially recognized as ethnic minorities by the Nepalese government despite a 2072 B.S. court ruling. She called for urgent government recognition and support for this community. Policy Dialogue in Madhesh Province The program was chaired by Mr. Naresh Kumar Jaiswal, Vice-Chair of NFN Madhesh Province, and attended by other notable guests like Ms. Nitu Dubey, Section Officer of Ministry of Sports and Social Welfare Madhesh, Mr. Kishory Shah, Deputy Mayor of Janakpur Sub-Metropolitan City, NFN Central Executive Committee (CEC) Secretary Mr. Baidhyanath Chaudhari and CEC member Ms. Laxmi Kumari Singh. Mr. Ghanashyam Shrestha, an advocate and member of the NFN Madhesh Province Committee, opened the discussion with a presentation on contemporary issues faced by Civil Society Organizations in Madhesh Province. During the event, Mr. Kishory Shah, Deputy Mayor of Janakpur Sub-Metropolitan City, assured participants that his office always follows constitutional and legal frameworks in providing services to citizens. He emphasized the need for collaborative efforts between local authorities and CSOs to enhance development services. He also pledged to address the concerns raised during the dialogue. Ms. Nitu Dubey, representing the Ministry of Sports and Social Welfare in Madhesh, during her speech, supported Mr. Kishory Shah. She highlighted the importance of proper budget allocation for targeted communities and committed to conveying the policy-related concerns raised during the dialogue to provincial authorities. However, the program also revealed tensions between CSOs and local authorities. Journalist Dinesh Purbey raised concerns about the lack of transparency, accusing both the Sub-Metropolitan City and provincial government of denying public requests for information. He criticized local authorities for ignoring the voices of marginalized communities and called for more open communication and accountability. Several participants expressed frustration over the government’s attempts to control the operations of CSOs, stating that civil society was being sidelined in planning and budgeting processes. They called for NFN to lead a more active movement to ensure that the voice of the voiceless are heard. In his remarks, Mr. Dhurba Kumar Jha accused provincial stakeholders of intentionally ignoring civil society concerns, noting the absence of key government representatives at the event. The two policy dialogues emphasized the need for a shared commitment to address the challenges facing CSOs in both Lumbini and Madhesh provinces. While government officials in both regions expressed willingness to collaborate, the discussions revealed ongoing frustrations within the CSO community regarding their exclusion from key governance processes.
NewsNational