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DOCKING NEPAL’S ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
POLITICAL OVERVIEW POLITICAL OVERVIEW This quarter has been a quagmire for Nepali politics. Additionally, the brunt of responding to COVID-19 has had profound effects in the political realm. The Government, which has been trying to respond to the crisis has received massive criticism for its inefficiency leading to the breakout of protests across the country. Moreover, the issuance of two ordinances by the government (which were eventually taken back) was seen by many as an attempt to consolidate power during a crisis. Nevertheless, the government was able to publish a new map of Nepal including the disputed territories of Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani, also amending the constitution to reflect the same, gaining nationwide support on the issue. Massive criticisms over government’s lackluster handling of the COVID-19 pandemic: After the confirmation of
the second case of COVID-19 in the country, the Government of Nepal (GoN) imposed a lockdown starting 24 March to control the possible spread of the disease1. With this, government plans such as 'Visit Nepal 2020' were either put on hold or cancelled2. However, the government has been heavily criticized for its mishandling of the crisis, as it was not able to utilize the eighty plus days of the lockdown to adequately plan and prepare for the impending crisis and its socio-economic ramifications. Despite repeated requests and criticism from experts and various sectors of the society, the government has been unable to adequately expand testing, has prioritized the RDT tests – which are not recommended by the WHO - over PCR tests, has failed to equip all health workers with must have medical gear such as PPEs, has failed to address the concerns of everyday citizens including the
daily wage workers and the most vulnerable groups, and has prolonged rescuing migrants who have been stuck abroad without jobs. Similarly, the government has been mired in controversies with the Ministry of health and population allegedly procuring medical equipment at prices much higher than the prevailing market price3. While the ministry refuted the allegations levelled against it, the government decided to bring in the Nepal Army to procure medical equipment on a government-togovernment modality4. Despite serious gaps and controversies in its response to the crisis, the government has been deflecting away from critique while undermining the graveness of the situation. Thus, suggesting that the current leadership is severely detached from the ground realities. Hospital beds, isolation wards and quarantine facilities set up in an attempt to cope with the crisis have been overwhelmed with the influx of migrant workers from abroad, mostly from India, and
subsequent increase in the number of cases. Most of these facilities are below the minimum required standards, and have become a hotspot for the virus and other diseases5. With the rapid growth in the number of COVID-19 cases and an increase in the death toll, protests have erupted across the country demanding a serious change in the government’s approach to COVID-19. Nepal releases a new map with Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani: On 8 May, Indian defense
minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a road between Dharchula and Lipulekh to Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet via video conference -territories which are claimed by Nepal near the Western border with India. This unilateral step resulted in an out lash against India within Nepal. The GoN then released a new political and administrative map by including Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani as territories of Nepal6. This new map included areas which Nepal had been claiming to be its own, but was not
