Nepal, Sept. 23 -- Nepal's lawmaking process has long been criticised as non-consultative. Oftentimes, stakeholders come to know about provisions in bills only after they are tabled in Parliament. Even when consultations are held, they are often treated as a mere formality. As a result, bills frequently become controversial only after reaching the legislature. Recent examples include the Media Council Bill, the School Education Bill and the Federal Civil Service Bill.

It is not just stakeholders who are kept out of the consultative process. Successive governments have also ignored a state institution whose primary responsibility is to help make laws more coherent and effective-the Law Commission. The commission can draft laws, study and ...