As the new chairman of the National Economic and Social Advisory Council (NESAC), Gothom Arya
expects to finally give the paper tiger some teeth. In an interview to The Nation’s King-oua Laohong
shortly after winning the job by just one vote in a second-round run-off on September 9, Gothom
vowed to ensure that his council – a constitutional body that brings together a wide spectrum of
experts from professional and occupational groups – would not only provide advice to the government
on economic and social issues but also reflect popular opinions of the people.
As a council with only advisory powers, NESAC needs the cooperation of the government. Yet almost 40
of its 99 members are NGO activists who disagree with government policies. How can the council,
sometimes dismissed as “the NGO Council,” cooperate with a potentially hostile or indifferent
government?
We have to accept the fact that, with so many NGO activists, the council does indeed appear to give
credence to our nickname. But let’s not forget that councillors have been selected from a wide range
of professions. They include environmentalists, female- and youth-affair activists, business people,
and political activists. All the councillors want to serve the country’s interests rather than just
stick it to the government. Therefore, it doesn’t sound right to say that NGO activists dominate the
council.
It’s true that a number of them appear to be in opposition to the government, but I don’t see that
as a decisive factor in our operations. As a constitutional body, NESAC will have its own
[independent] stance. We might agree or disagree with the government, depending on each individual
case. We will try all possible means to communicate with the government through constructive
round-table dialogues.
Do you expect the government to welcome suggestions by NESAC?
I once talked to a senator who is a friend of mine. He told me that we at NESAC should be proud of
the fact that we have more power than members of the Senate.
He told me that when a senator tries to take the government to task over allegations of
irregularity, the minister responsible has the right to remain silent. Yet if NESAC requests that
the government explain its decisions, ministers are obliged to respond and consider NESAC’s
recommendations.
So to look on the bright side, certain communications do exist between government ministers and
us.
Councillors of the previous NESAC advised the government on more than 100 issues during their
three-year term, only a half of which were finally implemented. Do you think the government
overlooks the significance of its advisory council?
Not quite. The responses have been positive because more than 50 is a high number. As far as I can
see, the government responds to our advice in good faith.
With people from various professions sitting on committees in charge of different affairs, do you
think there may be grounds for internecine squabbles on the council?
I don’t think so. We do not pressure our individual members to agree with the majority opinion. Each
member has his or her own right to raise their voice and express their concerns to the council. Our
job is to advise the government on economic and social issues. But in so doing, we have to support
our recommendations with sound academic arguments. If our proposals are intellectually convincing
but are still rejected by the government, ministers will have to tell the people why they refused to
act on our proposals. Having said that, the government also has the right to offer
counter-proposals, if need be, so that we can adjust or abandon our initial recommendations. We
certainly welcome input from the government.
NESAC operates on the platform that the implementation of its proposals will benefit the country.
Yet if the government refuses to take them into account as it has done with proposals by other
constitutional bodies, how will you respond?
Under my leadership, NESAC will work with a wide network of social organisations and representatives
of the public sector. This network will keep on releasing facts and information through the media to
the people in an effort to encourage them to participate in the process of solving national
problems.
We will be holding public debates in local communities to gauge their personal problems. Once people
know they have a chance to influence government decisions over their own lives, they will assert
their stance towards government plans affecting them.
I believe the people’s voice will pressure the government to address their needs and expectations.
by : nationmultimedia.com [ 11/03/2006 , 19:49:06 ]
Comment : 1
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