Nepal Army recruitment getting more inclusive

PHANINDRA DAHAL
KATHMANDU, SEP 01
Of the 40 doctors recruited by the Nepal Army last month, six were from indigenous groups and five from Madhesi community. Three women, a Dalit and resident from geographically backward region also got enrolled as “technical lieutenant,” thanks to reservation.

Fifth Amendment to the Interim Constitution in October 2008 legally guaranteed the representation of marginalised groups in the national army. Since then, the Army has stepped up its effort to make the recruitment of its personnel inclusive and give the institution a national character.

Critics welcome the start but maintain that the Nepal Army has still a long way to transform itself into an inclusive institution.

“The evolution for inclusiveness in the Nepal Army has just begun and it should be carried out systematically based on a political decision,” said Retired Brig. Gen. Ranadhoj Limbu. “It should reflect the aspirations of the changed political context.”
Nepal Army maintains that it has strictly followed the principles of inclusiveness stipulated by the Interim Constitution and allocated 45 percent seats for minorities and backward groups in its hiring.

Of the total reserved seats, 32 percent are set aside for indigenous groups, 28 percent for Madhesis, 20 percent is allocated to women, 15 percent to Dalits and 5 percent to those from backward regions. The government has enlisted the Far-and Mid-Western districts of Achham, Kalikot, Jajarkot, Jumla, Dolpa, Bajhang, Bajura, Mugu and Humla as the backward region.

“Recruitment is an entirely voluntary and competitive process. We can’t force citizens to sign up in proportion of the demographic breakup of the nation,” said Army Spokesman Ramindra Chhetri.

Geja Sharma Wagle of the Kathmandu-based think tank Nepal Institute of Policy Studies (NIPS) said Nepal Army is still negatively portrayed as the “Army of the King” as the institution is controlled by higher class elites-the Chhetris and Thakuris. “The increase in participation of females, Madhesis and Dalits is a most to make it the army of the people,” he said.
Statistics provided by the Nepal Army shows that out of 19 decision-making posts including two technical major generals, nine are Chhetris, four are Gurungs, two are Brahmins and two are Chhetris. The decision making rank also includes a Rana and Newar. Females, whose recruitment started in 1962 comprise only 1.2 percent of the total strength of the institution.

The NA plans to take the number of females to five percent of its institutional strength. “We are considering increasing female participation in the Nepal Army and have asked the government to provide budgets so that we can construct female-friendly infrastructure,” he said.

“If we go by the past, the Army leadership was totally controlled by Ranas and Shahs. Now we have got the Army chief from a Gurung community,” said retired Gen. Limbu. “Inclusiveness is slow and gradual process.”