Local level representatives speak for empowerment

Hetauda, May 25: The mayors, deputy mayors and chairs and vice chairs of local levels from Bagmati Province have demanded empowerment for strengthening federalism.

The people’s representatives viewed it during an interaction with members of the National Assembly here on Sunday. The interaction was organised by the federal parliament secretariat. The Chairperson of Khani Khola rural municipality, Indra Bahadur Thing, mentioned that if local levels were made efficient in utilising resources and revenue, they would not depend on grants from the federal and provincial governments. “We have been forced to demand.

It’s an example that can be seen currently in the ministries of the federal and provincial governments,” he shared the plight, adding that they want to develop programs based on the needs and identity of their geography, but constitutional hurdles must be removed.

The Chairperson of Bhimphedi rural municipality in Makwanpur, Hidam Lama, wanted the appointment of a deputy secretary or an equivalent chief administrative officer in the municipality. He stated, “To make a municipality capable, the role of administrative staff is equally important as that of elected representatives.

We want capable chief administrative officers at the local level.” Moreover, the Vice Chairperson of Bidur municipality, Prabha Bogati, mentioned it is necessary to take initiatives to remove numerous complexities so that it would be easy for local levels to prepare and implement the budget.