Perils of haste

The government must replace the theatre of immediate action with the discipline of durable policy-making.

The inauguration of the Balendra Shah-led government was heralded as the dawn of a transformative era for Nepal. With an overwhelming mandate to lead for five years and the backing of 182 members of parliament, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) government stands on a precipice of historical opportunity. It is not plagued by the usual fragile, shifting sand of coalition politics. Rather, it has a solid foundation from which sweeping reforms can finally flourish. However, the government’s first week has been marked by a disquieting impulsiveness that threatens to undermine its own objectives. The recent flip-flop by Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel on the closure of bridge courses and entrance preparation centres is a reminder that youthful energy, if not tempered by patience, can quickly devolve into a policy mess.