Parmeshwar Devkota

Unlike the previous constitutions, the present one has created three separate layers of government - the federal, state and local.
Amid the coronavirus menace, the federal government recently issued a statement saying that it would be more burdensome to bear the COVID-19 treatment costs of all citizens. So, it said that it would only foot the medical bills of the poor, single women, disabled, senior citizens, frontline health workers, security personnel and sanitation workers.
The central government’s shifting policy triggered sharp reactions from the public. Two sections of the people seem to have been criticising the government’s decision for their own parochial interest. They are apparently politicians and lawyers. The politicians are making it an issue of grave concern. They may try to raise it in the upcoming elections as well. They have portrayed it as a failure of the government in handling the coronavirus pandemic.
Similarly, some members of the legal community are turning the pages of the present constitution and pointing the finger at the federal government saying that the treatment of all citizens is its obligation as outlined in the ‘Directive Principles of state.
One of the lawyers, with a harsh voice and sonorous sound, as almost every lawyer has this quality, was producing scores of proofs that it was the duty of state to meet constitutional right. He referred to several times is the Clause 51 (h)-6 of the present constitution. The Clause reads: To ensure, convenient and equal access of all to quality health services.
Similarly, the opposition leaders and intellectuals with political bias have been making hue and cry against the government. Their unfounded accusations have created a sort of confusion and insecurity among the ordinary people.
Lawyers, politicians and intellectuals are supposed to raise consciousness of the burning issues. They need to remove confusion in the public but ironically they are spreading misleading news to muddy the waters. This is the time the enlightened people should speak about the role of state and local government in the fight against the pandemic. The schedule 6 of the constitution has entrusted the state governments with the responsibility to take care of health concerns of people while the schedule 9 has made local government responsible.
In line with the constitutional provisions, five state governments – state 2, Lumbini, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Sudurpaschim – have announced that they would treat the COVID-19 patients free of cost. On October 22, a meeting of the Gandaki State decided to continue with the free health treatment management. It has also called upon one and all not to run after the false information circulated through the social media.
It is now the turn of the remaining states and local governments to follow suit. It is popular decision on the part of state governments to assist the people in the time of medical emergency. Their pro-people policy has impelled the central government to correct its policy in this regard. The federal government finally announced that the government would bear the medical costs of all COVID-19 patients if they declare that they can’t afford to bear the treatment expenses.