They also raised suspicion over ´socialism-oriented mixed economic model´ mooted in the draft constitution and argued that denial of the CA committee to incorporate economic freedom, which they had pushed strongly, as fundamental right has only raised their concern over the new economic system being worked out.[break]
“The new constitution cites that the state policies shall aim at building prosperous, just, balanced and inclusive economy. But how can those be achieved without guaranteeing economic freedom?” said Kush Kumar Joshi, former president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), speaking at a program on Economic Policy mooted in new Constitution.
Dr Dilli Raj Khanal, economist from UCPN Maoist, however, appealed the private sector not to doubt Maoist´s intention. He clarified that Maoist´s push for socialism-oriented economy was not to end liberal economic regime, but to correct lapses seen in policy regime Nepal adopted over the past two decades.
“Liberal economic policy does not mean anarchism. But we never succeeded to make enough regulatory intervention because businessmen and policymakers viewed such intervention was against the free economic policy. Eventually such lapses cost consumers and people dearly. Our present thrust is to get those weaknesses corrected,” said he.
Dr Khanal also said that Maoists were not against private sector or capitalism. “We are, however, against the rental-based crisis-prone wealth creation, something that has been happening of late, for it will not make the country prosperous,” he added.
Economists like Prithvi Raj Ligal, former vice chairman of National Planning Commission, expressed differences over recommendation of CA Natural Resources, Economic Rights and Revenue Sharing Committee (NRERRSC) to allow communities own natural resources.“There is no doubt local communities must get due share of royalty and benefits of natural resources. But the idea of allowing them to own resources could be counter productive,” said Ligal.
His thrust was; all natural resources should be owned by the state and the state should assure that benefits and royalty generated from their harnessing is fairly given back to the community.
Earlier making presentation on draft of NRERRSC, committee member Rajendra Khetan said that the draft forwarded by the committee has ensured right of owning natural resources, royalty sharing, share rights and free goods to communities.
“These along with revenue sharing provisions could lead to inter-state and intra-state rivalry while utilizing natural resources. Managing that could prove challenging for the country,” he said, also indicating that such provisions could initially slow down harnessing of hydropower and other natural resources for the initial five to 10 years.
Nonetheless, he said the draft has provisioned formation of two new constitutional bodies -- National Natural Resources Commission and National Fiscal Commission -- to deal with possible problems.
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