Federalism As A Formula

1. The central government keeps 50% of the federal budget, and passes on the other 50% to all the states in direct proportion to their population.
2. The state government keeps 50% of the state budget, and passes on the other 50% to all the districts in direct proportion to their population.
3. The district government keeps 50% of the district budget, and passes on the other 50% to all the towns/villages in direct proportion to their population.
4. The state government is the only that gets to collect the sales tax. This will make sure all states compete to create the best possible environment for business.
5. For the national lower house, states get seats in direct proportion to their population. 300 seats total.
   
6. For the national upper house, there are 100 seats through proportional representation. Any party that gets at least 1% of the votes qualifies. A political party may not be armed. Other than that there will not be any disqualifiers. It is called the basic human right to peaceful assembly.
   

Proposed Constitution

In this formula, it does not matter how you draw the federal map, as in it is okay to do it along ethnic, linguistic lines. Makes no material difference.

At this point my knowledge base is such that I am sure only about three states: Madhesh, Tharuwan, and Newa. That does not mean I am opposed to the other demarcations. It is just that I want the Janajatis to come forward on their own to suggest what they want.

Let's have a little thought experiment here.

Hypothetical Table.

States	Population	GDP	MPs LH	MPs UH
Madhesh	9 million	$22 billion	84	28
Newa	4 million	$10 billion	36	12
Tharuwan	5 million	$10 billion	45	15
Kirat	3 million	$ 6 billion	27	9
Tamang	2 million	$ 4 billion	18	6
Tamuwan	3 million	$ 6 billion	27	9
Magarant	3 million	$ 6 billion	27	9
Karnali	2 million	$ 3 billion	18	6
Mahakali	2 million	$ 3 billion	18	6
Total	33 million	$70 billion	300	100

Satya Narayan Shah: Concept Of A Regional Party

People - read Pahadi Bahuns - who think in terms of a zero-sum game, in terms of a limited pie, are opposed to federalism. But we have to think in terms of a growing pie. Take one example of Dolpa. People feel sorry for Dolpa because it is in Karnali. But if Dolpa were to be allowed to keep half of all the tourist revenue it generates, it would be one of the richest districts in the country. What is going on now? The bureaucrats in Kathmandu end up keeping all that money. Federalism would be great for Dolpa.

It might look like Madhesh will be the largest state and hence will dominate. Not so. All the other states will have a major incentive to gang up against Madhesh if need be. Half of the Madhesh revenue goes to the central government where all states are represented. All states will be forced to work together to decide on what to do with all the shared revenue.

And if we were to put a major focus on transforming Nepal from an agricultural economy to a knowledge economy, then it is no longer true Madhesh will have the natural advantage. Then you are looking at a level playing field. Some of the hill station destinations might be best suited for the knowledge economy. It might not be Madhesh.

Let's use FM technology to that effect. 10 years of schooling through FM. Every evening for five hours nationwide, you should be able to tune in to any of the 10 class years. This way we are saying, we can't wait until we have enough teachers and school buildings. The future is now.

Bottomline, we have to think in terms of a growing pie. It is amazing to me how populated the Nepali diaspora is with prejudiced Pahadis who have been cooking up all sorts of unscientific arguments against federalism and the same has been consumed by the Kathmandu media like there were no tomorrow.

We have to move beyond those false arguments, and get busy with actually shaping the federalism in the most democratic way possible. It is so obvious to me we are going to have the ethnic states. Madhesh is going to be a state. That is for sure.

If you are not for ethnic federalism, you are in good company with me. I was not for it either before the Madhesi Movement. Joine me. Let go of your old prejudices. Grow your horizons. Federalism is okay, it is more than okay, it is great.


Janakpur Madhesis Demand Federal Republic Nepal
Bahun Federalism Is No Federalism At All
Madhesi Alliance: Panch Pandav: Federal Republic, Madhesh State, Nonviolence
Federalism: Four Layers Or Three Layers
Interim Federalism
Global Federation Of Indigenous People Of Nepal
Federal Republic Guaranteed
Critiquing Pitambar Sharma's Federalism
Pitambar Sharma's Federalism
Nepal: Maps
Federalism: Competing Maps
RPP For Federalism Ahead of UML, NC And NC(D)
My Federalism Is Economic, Scientific, Not Ethnic
Why It Is Important To Me The Congress Takes Up A Federal Republic
UML Inching Towards Federalism
Monarchy, Army, Federalism

On The Web

Federalism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Federalism (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)
Constitutional Topic: Federalism - The U.S. Constitution Online ...
Close Up Foundation Civics Education | Federalism
federalism: Definition and Much More from Answers.com
federalism: See what people are saying right now on Technorati
ThisNation.com--Federalism
Democracy For Nepal (DFN): Federalism: Competing Maps
The Federalism Project
American Federalism, 1776 to 1997: Significant Events
Cases & Materials on American Federalism
The Urban Institute | Assessing the New Federalism
Crime & Federalism: Daily commentary about what's wrong with the ...
Federalist - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Center for the Study of Federalism
Centre for Research and Information on Canada: Federalism
Oxford Journals | Social Sciences | Publius
U.S. Federalism Web Site
Federalism - National Constitution Center
Ben's Guide (3-5): National versus State Government -- Federalism

Janakpur Madhesis Demand Federal Republic Nepal

Madheshis demanded federal republic Nepal

Janakpurdham, Thursday, February 22, 2007. Thousands of Madheshis chanted slogans demanding abolition of monarchy, constituency based on equal and average population. They appealed interim parliament to announce Nepal as a federal republic. Madheshis also demanded immediate resignation of home minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula, responsible for brutal suppression and killing of 38 Madheshis during Madheshi Adhikar Andolan.

Thousands of Madheshis today picketed in the square of Janaki Temple of Janakpur. The picketing was organized by Democratic Madheshi Society, Janakpur. The gathering also resolved seven following resolutions.

Resolution 1

Madheshi Adhikar Andolan (Madheshi People's Movement) is for equality and equal rights among Nepalese citizen. We need equality nothing less or more than it. The government is trying to denigrate this peaceful and just movement. Delaying the fulfillment of well justified and established demands of Madheshi people, the regime is trying to play fouls. Recent Bill proposed by the cabinet for the amendment of the interim constitution is ambiguous, which shows its discriminatory mentality among the rulers. This meeting condemns such mentality and strongly demands reconstruction of constituencies based on equal and average population for CA elections.

This meeting also appeals all the Madheshis MPs to act jointly in the advocacy of equal rights and be attentive and conscious in amendment proceedings in the Interim Parliament.

( Proposed by : Ex-Mayor of Janakpur Municipality and NC leader, Brikhesh Chandra Lal.)

Resolution 2

During the peaceful Madheshi Adhikar Andolan (Madheshi People's Movement), the government brutally and nastily tried to suppress Madheshi non-violent protesters. Unnecessary and unjustified arms were used on unarmed protestors by the Government's police. Peace loving Protestors form Dhanusha, Morang and Sarlahi were brutally killed by the communal agents backed by the Government. These irresponsible acts of the government have been closely watched by the UNCHR, Civil Society, and Other Neutral viewers and such animalistic activities have been condemned.

This meeting strongly demands the dismissal of the irresponsible Home Minister and right punishment to other concerned officials of the Government.

( Proposed by : Ex-Chairman of DDC Dhanusha and NCD President, Dhanusha, Ram Saroj Yadava)

Resolution 3

During the Madheshi People's Movement, the protestors were brutally handled. The police were forcibly entered in the houses and mercilessly beat women and children. But so called Human Right Activists were nowhere. Rather they tried to cover misdeeds of Police and security forces. They also tried to blame baselessly such peaceful mass movement as communal riots.

This meeting condemns such prejudice and communal mentality as well as appeals the National and International genuine Human Right Activists to identify and be aware of such people and organizations.

( Proposed by : Ratneshwar Goit, Alternate Central Committee Member, CPN UML)

Resolution 4

Monarchy in Nepal has always been the centre of feudalistic activities and has exploited the Nepalese people. Killings, sabotaging, conspiracy, and power-lust have been its characteristics. Nepalese have always been compelled to fight against the monarchy for their civic rights and democracy. Monarchy is still sabotaging and working against democracy and the achievement of popular movement–II. Kings unauthorized and unconstitutional message on the Falgun 7th (19, Feb 2007) is the proof.

We hereby demand immediate abolition of Monarchy and establishment of FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF NEPAL.

( Proposed by : Mrs. Minakhsi Jha, DEMAS, Janakpur.)

Resolution 5

We the participants of this mass meeting, appeal all individuals as well as organizations working for the Madheshi Rights to act jointly with mutual coordination and cooperation.
A joint front for this noble cause is essential, this meeting appeals all the concerned to move forward for the formation of the needful association.

( Proposed by : Nirmal Kumar Chaudhary, Chairman Chamber of Commerce, Janakpur.)

Resolution 6

Bomb blast in the historic, religious and traditional festival of Mithila Bihari Parikrama in Marai VDC of Mahottary District is an attack on Madheshi religious belief and traditional culture. We condemn this barbaric act.

Due to lack of responsibility and accountability, proper security arrangements could not been made during such an important and religious event. This shows the ill attitude of the present rulers and administrators. This is a conspiracy against Madheshi Culture. We warn, those who are responsible, to stop such activities instantly.

( Proposed by : Amar Chandra Anil, Convener Joint Youth Action Committee, Janakpur.)

Resolution 7

We Madheshi are proud of our Great Martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the cause of Madheshi Rights during the peaceful Movement against Khas Hegemony.
We honor them and promise to perform all efforts for the achievements they wished. Wishing peace for the great SOULS, we collectively express our cordial condolences to their families.

( Proposed by : Er. Satya Narayan Shah, Civic Society Janakpur.)