State movers and shakers to dwell on key issues today

KATHMANDU, JUL 04 -

Incumbent and retired top bureaucrats are holding a symposium on Wednesday to discuss future course of state restructuring, governance and some other key issues.

Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai will attend the assembly and present his idea of governance and power devolution on future state restructuring process, among other things. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is taking lead role to organise this workshop, where around 150 officials are expected to dwell on five thematic issues.

“It is an avenue to share experience and ideas on state restructuring with former top bureaucrats. How power delegation can be ensured up to the grass root level while state restructuring, what kind of organisation and management would need for this would be discussed,” said a secretary privy to the symposium.

Likewise, the conference will also give inputs to the government on various technical issues of governance like resource mobilisation, job division, policy formulation, implementation of policies, delivery and services, among others. Two papers will be presented—one by PMO Secretary Lilamani Poudel and another from former bureaucrats.

The function also aims to prepare a roster of former top bureaucrats so that their expertise and experiences can be utilised in a time of need. As proposed in the Plan of Prosperity unveiled by Prime Minister Bhattarai, two think tank organisations will be formed to carry out researches and provide inputs to the government on strategic, foreign affairs, governance and economic development.

“Two separate secretariats would be set up where experts concerned will carry out researches on various topics. It would be an honour for the former bureaucrats and a benefit for the country,” said another government secretary.

Most probably both the institutions would be formalised by next fiscal year. While former top bureaucrats will be tasked to carry out research on governance and policy analysis, former diplomats and senior army and police officers will roped in to conduct researches on strategic affairs, foreign relations and other related topics.

Source: http://www.ekantipur.com/2012/07/04/top-story/state-movers-and-shakers-to-dwell-on-key-issues-today/356567/