KATHMANDU, April 5: As Parliament resumed on Thursday, signaling a return to constitutional normalcy, public expectations from the new government and legislature have risen, though not in grand or unrealistic terms. Citizens want timely delivery of basic services rather than promises, reflecting a demand for trust and accountability from those in power.
Formed after the Gen Z movement, the new government carries the burden of a transitional moment. People expect their voices to be heard through their elected representatives and hope governance will align with the spirit of the Constitution. Yet, most demands remain simple: easier daily life, reliable public services, and responsive institutions.
Let’s live and let live
Farmers seek timely access to seeds and fertilizers to sustain production. Workers want fair wages that improve their living standards. Citizens anticipate the timely completion of long-delayed infrastructure projects, such as roads. Affordable and quality education and healthcare also rank high among priorities, with many hoping for basic health services close to home to avoid high expenses.
For Vinod Raut, a farmer from Birgunj-32, the concern is immediate. Having harvested his winter crop, he now worries about fertilizer shortages ahead of the paddy planting season. “The season is near, but I am already worried,” he said. His demand is simple: timely supply of fertilizer. Though modest, it reflects a long-standing structural issue in Nepal’s agriculture system, where inputs often arrive too late.
Fertilizer shortages have become a recurring problem. Each monsoon, farmers queue for supplies, face black market prices, or import costly alternatives. Despite increasing budgets, the government has struggled to ensure efficient procurement and distribution, leaving a gap between demand and supply, particularly in the Madhes region where delayed fertilizer directly reduces crop yields.
Naresh Thapa from Piluwa, Bara, faces a different challenge. A vegetable farmer, he produces well but lacks market access due to poor infrastructure. He pointed to the long-delayed fast-track road project linking the capital, saying timely completion would transform his prospects. “We only ask that projects finish on time,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ramesh Chaudhary from Tikapur, Kailali, stands at a crossroads between staying in Nepal or seeking work abroad. He wants either employment opportunities at home or safer, more transparent foreign employment processes. His concerns echo those of thousands leaving the country daily, often facing exploitation, high fees, and unsafe conditions despite existing policies.
Across the country, expectations converge on one point: effective governance. Citizens want to avoid bribery for services, access quality healthcare and education, and earn fair returns for their labor. The gap between policy and implementation remains a persistent issue, eroding public trust.
For many, the solution is straightforward. Timely execution of responsibilities, not grand declarations, would go a long way in restoring confidence.
