Abstract
Nepal has a long history of a unitary system in which the discourse of federalism was started by the ‘Moist People War’ (1996-2006); geared up by the United People’s Movement (April 2006); owned by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement/Accord (CPA) signed by the Maoists and the Government of Nepal (24 November 2006); established by the Madhesh Movement (2007); and codified by the Constitution of Nepal (2015) through the Constituent Assembly, ultimately. The Nepalese federalism has even adopted the core principles of republicanism, ethnic diversities, equality and non-discrimination, affirmative action, social inclusion, secularism, decentralization of state power and financial power, distribution of source of revenue, autonomy, self-rule, and shared rule, etc., among others. For this purpose, there are federal, provincial (7), and local levels governments (753) operating; several legal, institutional, procedural, and practical initiatives have been taken by the governments, and while some progress has been made, however, there are several remaining responsibilities yet to be addressed including the ‘traditional unitary mindset’ for localizing and sustaining federalism in the country.
