Dancing road in rain pleases me aesthetically

Bishnu Prasad Aryal

It was raining all the day as it is the beginning of the rainy season and first monsoon rain began on that very day. I was symbolically dancing in the rain. On June 27, I got out from my home located at Rampur-1 in a serene and big valley along the Kaligandaki river of Palpa district. I was at home for only one day as I had taken a leave of four-day from my office. It was the fourth day. I must have left the home for my office in Kathmandu.

Showering rain continually hailed me on the way.I reached the bus station at the 15-minute distance from my home. The road to the main highway is not black-topped yet. It becomes muddy and risky during the rainy season. However, the driver of a van among others assured me to drive his vehicle for the destination despite raining. I was glad and thankful to him for carrying my two big bags full of ripen mangoes and bananas organically grown at my home garden. The fruits were so sweet, I nearly swallowed my tongue when I tasted them at my home.

It was about 1 pm I got on the van. Another van led the way. It was moving ahead we were following it. The leading van started dancing on the road as the rain and mud played music to its tune. People were afraid of the scene but I enjoyed it a lot when the van in which I was danced better than the earlier. People got down and walked on the muddy sections of the road, however, I danced merrily. Actually, I was sitting on the seat of the van and the van was so nicely dancing.

The distance was only 27km, a travel of simply for two hours in a van but it took more than thrice fold of time to reach to Galyang on the Siddartha Highway. The driver of my van was so sweet, good and excellent in driving than the one that was leading us. I talked to him and he talked to me frankly. He was so helpful and discplined person I was impressed by him. I am still thinking that if I get his van on my journey, I will never ride on any vehicle on that route as I like to dance again in a driving van.

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Unplanned urban sprawl is a worry

Kathmandu-valley city-development in ugly state of horizontal expansion

Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, June 18

Horizontal expansion of houses lacking minimum criteria of urbanisation in the Kathmandu valley has become a menace to healthy, safe and standard living. There is no good and specific plan on the urban development.

“Kathmandu is not an urban. It is just a gathering of people settled haphazardly in unmanaged and unplanned manner,” said Suman Neupane, general manager of Sunrise Bank at Gairidhara in Kathmandu. “Basic infrastructures such as easy roads, drinking water, systematic drainage, electricity and passages for fire fighters and emergency services are unavailable everywhere,” he added.

There is no parks, space and greenery in the valley, which has been losing environmental and aesthetic values day by day. It is developing not like a managed city but like a slum dwelling, said Er Devendra Dongol, senior planner at the Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

The Ministry of Physical Planning and Works (MoPPW) estimated at about 600,000 houses in the valley and approximately 10,000 houses are being added every year in five municipalities and 45 town oriented VDCs. Houses are being built even in a small piece of land of 2.5 anas.

“The unmanaged, haphazard and unplanned growth with poor infrastructure and facilities has affected badly on ground-water recharge, management of drainage, drinking water, roads and electricity, environment among others,” said Dongol.

“I have my own house here but have booked a four-bedroom apartment of Rs 5 million at the Sun City Apartments for a good environment, security, free-land area and an ideal way of living with basic facilities,” said Neupane.

A few housing companies are focusing on high-class families only for commercial purposes. “There is no apartment made for poor, lower and middle class families in the valley,” said Dongol.

Er Hemnath Sharma Khanal, chief at the Kathmandu Valley Town Development Committee under the MoPPW, presented an instance of a low cost house of US$ 1,500 in Indonesia and said the government was yet to forge plans on it. “We are thinking of apartment system in the country,” he added. “It is a must to develop cities outside the Kathmandu valley too.”

Neupane said a master plan on a vertical development of the city was necessary to replace the old and unmanaged houses. “Government, as a facilitator to the private sector for better housing system, should identify areas for colonies and develop cities with the concepts of developed apartments and housings,” he added.

According to KMC, 30 per cent of the total area of 670sqkm in the Kathmandu valley is covered by the houses. “There is no alternative to the vertical development to manage the city,” said Neupane.

Said Dongol, “Law and ethics must be brought and enforced to systemise the development of apartment urbanisation by introducing low cost and affordable apartments for the ordinary people to manage and develop the city in scientific and aesthetic way.”

“We have recently registered the two bills on land transaction and Kathmandu valley town development to the parliament, aiming to set up Town Development Council,” said Khanal. “An Act regarding the apartment and housing system was introduced about a decade ago, but not enough to address the existing problems,” he added.

This was published on THE HIMALAYAN TIMES, June 19, 2009.

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Tender hands pull tough red chariot of God

Women's turn to pull Rato Machchhindranath
Excitement galore at annual chariot festival in Lalitpur

Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Lalitpur, June 12

Women pulled the chariot of Ratomachchhindranath from Podetole of Lagankhel to Bighneshwor Ganesh Temple at Thati tole today as their counterparts did. It started at 5:30 AM and reached to the destination of about 125 metres at about 6:45.

“It was so exciting moment when the women were pulling the chariot,” said local onlooker Shova Maharjan, who pulled the chariot herself two years ago. “This chance falls once a year for women to pull the chariot. So we never miss to involve in the celebration,” she said.

Thousands of women of any age took part in the chariot procession of Rato Machchhindranath this morning at Lagankhel. The chariot procession of Rato Machchhindranath, which takes place on the auspicious days in between April to June, began on April 29 this year.

Laxmi Shahi of Balkumari, who has pulled the chariot for five consecutive years, said that it was an amazing experience of pulling chariot. “It looks so simple while men pull it but we experience difficulty as we do it,” said Maharjan. “I was so tired and felt sick throughout the after the wonderful moments,” she added.

Coconut, which is regarded as the harbinger of prosperity and will help fulfill all their wishes, was thrown from the chariot on Thursday at Lagankhel. If anyone could get this coconut, his wish, if any, would be fulfilled. Mostly man without a son comes so that he could beget a son, according to the locals. On the day of coconut throwing, it is believed that on the eve of taking the chariot from Lagankhel to Jawalakhel, the podenies (female street sweepers) used to sleep naked and Machchhindranath descends to sleep with them.

“We did not wish for anything but did it simply without demanding anything from God,” said Shahi. Women from Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Kirtipur thronged the spot to pull the chariot. “More than 100 women actively involved in pulling two chariots weighing about 50 and 20 tons respectively,” said local Bhairaja Dheula. “I observed the celebration with my keen interest,” he said.

Rato Machchhindranath is worshipped as the God of rain and harvest. It is popularly known as Bodhisattwa, Padmapani, Bunga Dyo and Karunamaya Lokeshwara (in Buddhism), which means compassionate god of the universe.

The chariot is pulled from Pulchowk through Gabahal, Sundhara, Lagankhel and Jawalakhel, according to the branch office of the Guthi Sansthan at Lalitpur. The astrologers select an auspicious day and time before the chariot is brought to Jawalakhel. After four days, Bhoto Jatra is celebrated in the presence of the head of the nation. Then it is returned to the temple of Bungamati, a village in southern Lalitpur.

This festival was observed in the winter season in the 13th century as written in the autobiography of traveller Dharma Sayami. King Jayasthiti Malla began in 14th century to celebrate the festival in the spring season.

The deity was brought by Lichhivi king Narendra Dev during the ninth century from Kamarkamachay of Assam, India to Patan in the Kathmandu valley in order to prevent drought. The deity is kept at Bungamati for sixth months and at Tahbahal of Patan for six months alternatively.

This news was published on The Himalayan Times, June 13, 2009.

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Newa: Museum is on anvil in Kathmandu

Bishnu Prasad Aryal

KATHMANDU: Plans are afoot to build a Newa: Museum, a treasury of the rich Newari culture to be set up in Kathmandu.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal on June 6 floated an idea to build four museums including ethnographic and cultural museums. But his list does not include the Newa Museum showcasing the Newari culture, which is at the centre of the country’s art and heritage.
However, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has plans to set up the museum as a prominent cultural heritage. “KMC has started its work on the plan it approved of 10 months ago,” said Sarbottam Dangol, representative, all-party mechanism, Kathmandu Metropolitan City.
Kathmandu Metropolitan City has set aside Rs 0.5 million for the conservation of traditional musical instruments, another Rs 0.5 million for establishing the Nepal Bhasha Institute and Rs 1.5 million for the 22 schools teaching Newari language. The plan costs a total of Rs 45 million.
“The metropolis has allocated Rs 30 million this fiscal while the remaining amount will be released next fiscal,” Dangol told this daily.
A nine-member working committee headed by Dangol to execute the plan has been formed. Two sites have been chosen for the purpose.
There are 1.24 million Newars in the country, according to the 2001 Census.
The Newars are known for their unique culture, painting, archaeology and sculpture.
The world heritage sites — Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square and Kathmandu Durbar Square, among others — are credited to them.
“This culture is a cornerstone of the national identity,” said cultural expert Satya Mohan Joshi. “Establishing a Newari museum will do justice to their contribution and rich culture,” he added.
Joshi suggested that 30 ropanis of land could be used for the museum in Kirtipur if needed. “Considering easy access for the tourists, we have chosen Shova Bhagawati and Kathmandu Durbar Square, Basantapur, for the site,” said Dongol.
There is four ropanis of land at Shova Bhagawati. Moreover, the land used
by Nepal Sanskrit University at Basantapur is an option, too.
“We have initiated the process of land acquisition,” he said. The deal needs the final seal of the Cabinet.
Dangol said the preliminary design of the museum had been prepared. “We will develop the final design once the land is acquired,” said Suraj Shakya, engineer, Heritage Division, Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

This news was published on The Himalayan Times, June 12, 2009.

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HSEB fails to maintain exam system

Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, June 8

The checking system of answer sheets of Grade 12 under the Higher Secondary Education Board (HSEB) is said to be unethical as per its rules. The checking began last week immediately after the examinations of Class 12 completed.

The HSEB has set certain norms while checking the answer sheets at its head office in Bhaktapur. An examiner is given nearly 200 sheets to check in a week. The norms provisions to check 200 copies in at least five days, according to the HSEB

However, a teacher completes around 100 copies each day without reading the sheets thoroughly, said an examiner, requesting anonymity. “One of my colleagues told me he completed 100 copies in six ours,” he told this daily. “I finished 110 copies in 12 hours,” he added.

He knows this was against the rules and negligence to the future of the students. “Nobody cares about their responsibility if they earn more money by checking copies rapidly,” he said. Rs 15 per copy is paid to the examiner. “If the HSEB violates norms and issues 25 marks as grace to the students who fail in two subjects, will it fall under the responsible act?,” he questioned. "We have heard the HSEB taking money and influencing the results."

As soon as one examiner completes a bundle of sheets in two days, one stays at home freely or work at his office. The examiner comes on the sixth day from the beginning and takes another bundle. There are about 700-800 examiners checking the copies this time. “The checking of copies will complete in about a month,” he said.

According to the HSEB, about 260,000 students appeared in the exams of Grade 12 this year and the results will be published by mid-July.

Ram Bahadur Khadka, member secretary of the HSEB, said that they were strictly implementing the exam norms of coding-decoding, checking copies, scrutiny, and an examiner should be a college teacher who completed Master’s Degree before 2006. “However, we do not keep records of daily checking,” Khadka said. “We cannot blame all but some might have been misusing this loophole.”

“We will not provide more than two bundle of sheets to an examiner. Second bundle is given after seven days,” Khadka said. “We believe the educated persons. If the intellectual circle does such an irresponsible and dishonest act, what can we do?,” he wondered. “We will take action against them if reported,” he added, requesting to provide the name of those teachers. He denied all other allegations.

Nearly exams of about a dozen of subjects in the HSEB were cancelled about a month ago. Its credibility was under ring in the past years too, according to the academicians.

This news was published in THE HIMALAYAN TIMES, June 9, 2009.

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Keep your pet forever even if it is dead

Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, June 7

This is how a master loves his pet one tames. Prudhyumna Mishra of Kaldhara, Kathmandu mourned deeply when his pet died a few months ago after he tamed it for 14 years.

This is just an example of generosity that a master is fond of pets. “I grieved a lot and felt extremely sad as my dog left this world. I wanted to be with it till the end though I know we all are mortal,” Mishra said. “If possible, I would like his body to keep at my home forever.”

“Don’t worry. You can display it in your room as in a museum. Now, it is possible to keep pet’s body just like alive through using the taxidermy technique,” said Dev Chandra Shrestha, the only taxidermist of the country. Shrestha has been working in the Natural History Museum (NHM) for the last 32 years.

The museum has thousands of specimens of animals and insects including indigenous and rare ones. “It is very important to keep the samples of the animals as well as raising awareness to preserve such wildlife for the next generation,” said Dr Keshab Shrestha, chief at the NHM.

“You can use the taxidermy method at your home too if you get a simple two-day training and some objects such as blade, corn powder, cotton, alcohol, spirit, resin, scissor, knife, coir, needle, nylon string and glue,” said Dev Chandra. “First, you have to sort out all the flesh and fat from the body of an animal by protecting feather skin contact.”

“Then, you need to work on it immediately after you get the fresh dead body of animal and maintain its body looking alive by using this method,” said Shrestha. “One of my students told me that she used this method and kept her dead parrot for good.”

Hari Prasad Sharma, lecturer at the Central Department of Zoology, Tribhuvan University, said that it was very useful to utilise the dead bodies of animal for various purposes. “We can decorate our houses from it and also sell it to others for earning money from the animal you find dead in your area,” said Sharma, who is getting taxidermy training at the NHM.

The NHH in cooperation with the World Wildlife Fund is providing training for the students of campuses and schools, teachers and other persons interested in nature conservation. Dr Shrestha said, “Two dozens of individuals are being trained this time.”

The NHM has provided training for about 1,000 persons. “We can provide training to anybody interested at minimal cost for training materials only,” added Dr Shrestha.

This news was published on THE HIMALAYAN TIMES, June 8, 2009.

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I'm upset due to psychological torture

I feel nausea, my head seems to be heavy, have a headache. Simply, I can't put blame on others but there will be injustice if I don't reveal the fact that someone is still troubling and harming me from behind the curtain.

This is still a mystery for why this guy is following me throughout my whole life. Either, I must be sick, I must be in hallucination or in confusion or in illusion or speaking truth. I sometimes feel that whether I am mad to suspect the same person for destroying me.

No,I have realised many times that I am interfered or intervened into my personal issues, my liberty and freedom to live in my own way without harming and hurting others. I feel I am deprived of my individual rights to choose a way of life, work in my way and die in my carefree style.

I am suffering from other's problem. A person, who thinks himself superior, great and gentleman, has offended me for his own family problem. If I speak something about him and his action, he will torture me psychologically more than I am hurt. Neither I can remain silence nor can surrender to such a vicious person. So I am too upset now.

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Where life becomes a tale of a legend

A Disgraced Story

By Bishnu Prasad Aryal

THERE goes a story about a man and a stomach. Whenever this pen pusher recalls that tale and tries to relate that with the present socio-political scenario of the country, it makes him dumbfounded. Here it goes: once upon a time there was a man without a stomach. Every year he used to worship at a shrine. One day he met a stomach without a body. The stomach said: "I have been looking for you. What are you doing without me?" And then the stomach jumped on the man and became a part of him. The man carried on with his journey to the shrine. But before he got there he became very hungry. The stomach said: "Feed me." "I will not," said the man. "When I didn’t have you I travelled far, was never hungry, was happy and contented, and I was strong .You can either leave me now or be quiet."....’

Fascinated by the piece of a tale I mounted and downed searching for bellyless figure, head to foot, so that I could inquire him/her how exciting and delightful experience s/he does have from the absence of empty bowels. On the way a pumpkin branded, bizarre flesh rolled over, unlike a slug, but as a pajero resemblance.

At the mean time, a journalist with shining camera, headed towards the mortifying giant, having a sack like stomach nosing a imported tie, took a photograph, in fact, of headless abdomen. A crowd round the object jeered at it. Some spelled out it belonged to right wings or left wings. Others exclaimed it seemed to be of extremists or orthodox. No sooner had they scrutinised upon the hot issue than an insane claimed that once it belonged to tradesmen or industrialists.

I thought myself this scouring is an absurd attempt as Samuel Beckett in his most celebrated text Waiting for Godot indicates the never-ending hope for that which does not appear at all. In such a paradigm into my mind, I summed up that no one can be found without a stomach. The argument grew from the jungle out of words tapped my head, belly and back as if it is a metal detector which can spy the terrified objects under clothes or skin. Bhairab Aryal in his book Jaya Bhundi, sarcastically depicts the misery of stomach, makes us apprehend it.

Let’s pray, may God stock out all the stomachs from human beings, to empower man without it. Then, you cannot anticipate, how magnificent the world be, let’s say: Nepal is such a state where no one will be the admirer of fraud, cunnings and mischievous heads .Talking or making a speech about poverty reduction is no more than a act of Don Quixote rather it is better to skip paunch. If God redraws sacks from man, God will be extreme corrupt than man and we will not worship but curse Him.

Every one dispersed from the crossroad where I find myself thin, lean and weak since only I am deprived of the stomach, all others rush for and hide it under the black coats. If we beseech God to terminate conundrum God must be the black hole akin to politicians‘ bellies. Even god owns belly does not seem queer, so our food vessel remains behind our back. Now, do you not ask all think of the treatise itself contains the stomach of enchantment, which is only the problem of human beings, not of Nepal? Therefore, if you want to be happy, contented and strong as before the man of the story lived, drop instantly your stomach for good and be as me.

This feature article was published on The Rising Nepal, dated June 8, 2002. It is my first article appeared in the national daily.

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Bring researchers back home: Nobel laureate

Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, June 3

Nobel laureate Prof Dr Klaus von Klitzing has said that the government should facilitate scientists and promote infrastructure of laboratories to develop a nation. Nepal should bring back all its researchers working abroad for the noble deed.

German scientist Klitzing, who won the Nobel Prize at the age of 42 in 1985 on Integer Quantum Hall Effect (Unit of electrical resistance), is in Nepal to take part in a four-day International Conference on the Frontiers of Physics organised by the Nepal Physical Society on the occasion of its silver jubilee. Klaus was born in a noble family in Schroda, which presently falls in Poland. Klaus, who visited Nepal thrice namely in 1980, 1999 and 2009, arrived here on Monday.

“Definitely, a person is very important but the nation is equally responsible to provide fund for making researches fruitful to the potentiality of a researcher. In fact, freedom of science is really important for its culmination,” Klaus said. “Yes. Government must provide fund to promote the science sector to reach its ultimate height, investing in the development of well-equipped laboratories so that any researcher could carry out researches in the government labs for the sake of national development. Science [Physics] is the basic fundamentals of development. German government provided me grant for carrying out researches in the High Magnetic Field Laboratory, which is German-French lab, Grenoble in France, where I discovered my theory of new measurement units.”

Nothing happens itself, he said. “We must work hard sincerely and dedicatedly. It is an interesting case that I did not expect the result of my research. As I was absorbed in my research entirely in 5.2.1980 at 2 AM in a lab of Grenoble in France, it was surprising consequence for me. I was successful in my discovery of integer quantum hall effect. I was really amazed when I was rewarded with the Nobel Prize in 1985 beyond my imagination,” he told this daily.

He sees the possibility of science and technology development in Nepal is bright. “You see there is a big number of science students in Nepal and they are involved in researches in different countries. However, the country has failed to exploit them by creating appropriate environment for the development of science here. There are good Nepalese researchers abroad. All of them should be brought back if the country really wants to develop it.” “It is the general principle that we have to focus on only one area to promote the particular area of science in full-fledged. If we are diverted into many streams at a time, there will be no significant achievement.”

When asked about Nepal winning Nobel Prize on science any day, he said, “Why not? Everyone can win it. If African countries can win, Nepal also definitely deserves it though it may take longer time to develop infrastructure in science field here.”

Klaus took a class on his discovery in the Central Department of Physics, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, and Kathmandu University, Kavre today. He is leaving for Germany tomorrow.

This interview was published in The Himalayan Times, dated June 4, 2009.

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Nobel laureate holds out hope for Nepali scientists

Bishnu Prasad Aryal
KATHMANDU, June 3

German Nobel laureate Prof Dr Klaus von Klitzing on Wednesday said that the Nepal government should help local scientists and provide research facilities, which, in turn, could hasten the pace of development in the country.
He also urged the state to initiate a move to bring back all Nepali researchers, who are pursuing their work abroad. Dr Klitzing, who won the Nobel Prize for Physics for his path-breaking work on Integer Quantum Hall Effect in 1985, is in the capital to participate in the four-day International Conference on Frontier of Physics.
He is not new to the Himalayan nation, having been here on two earlier occasions — in 1980 and 1999.
He felt that it was the responsibility of the nation to make funds available for the researchers. He cited the example of the German government, which extended him all financial help to conduct research in the High Magnetic Field Laboratory, which is located at Grenoble in France.
“I discovered the theory of new measurement units during my experiments in that laboratory,” he reminisced.
In retrospect, he said that he did not expect to win the Nobel Prize in 1985. “I was taken aback when I got the award,” he said.
He attributed the honour to his sincere work and expecting nothing in lieu of his painstaking research. He held out hope for the progress of science and technology in Nepal.
“Many science students from here are busy conducting research across the world. Unfortunately, the nation has failed to exploit their potential due to lack of conducive environment for research facilities,” he explained. Dr Klitzing had a word of caution for fellow scientists. “We need to focus on only one area. If we divert into many streams, then there will be no significant breakthrough,” he added.
Asked about Nepal’s prospect of winning a Nobel Prize for science in the near future, the ever-optimist retorted: “Why not? Anyone can win it. Nepal stands a good chance. But, it may take a tad longer since it has to develop adequate infrastructure for conducting research. “ He imparted his knowledge on the Integer Quantum Hall Effect in course of a couple of lecture sessions at the Central Department of Physics in Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, and at Kathmandu University in Kavre, today.
Dr Klitzing, who hails from a family of noble and was born in Schroda, which falls in present day Poland, will leave for his native Germany tomorrow.

This interview was published in THE HIMALAYAN TIMES, dated June 4, 2009.

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Bandh adds woes to the ailing people

Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, June 1

It is a tale of ordinary people that the political groups never worry about the suffering of commoners while calling the strikes and bandhs. However, they still continue staging strikes for the partisan interests.

“We suffered more than enough from the strike called for today,” said Rabina Khokhali, hailed from Nawalpur of Sindhupalchowk district. “Whoever the organisers are, they troubled the people for nothing wrong they did,” she further said.

It was fate for her mother Chandeshwori Khokhali, 63, who slipped and fell at her home yesterday afternoon. Her right hand broke. They booked a vehicle on Rs 8,000 and reached to Kathmandu Model Hospital in Kathmandu but it was late afternoon and did not get admission at hospital due to delay and lack of vacant bed.

“We were compelled to return to Bhaktapur yesterday,” Khokhali said. However, this day was also more painful for them. They searched for an ambulance at around 10:00 am this morning but seven ambulances rejected their proposal by saying Kathmandu was far from Bhaktapur and bandh organisers might vandalise the ambulance.

The bandh was called in the Kathmandu Valley today by the Joint Action Committee for Newa Autonomous State, an apex body of the Newar organisations, demanding a Newa State to include in the new constitution. The organisers did not allow plying even motor cycles and bicycles on the roads.

“Luckily, an eighth ambulance agreed to carry us to Kathmandu Model Hospital at noon. Hospital called us at 10 am but we arrived here at 1:00 pm,” she said, adding that altogether Rs 10,000 was spent on vehicle to manage to bring her mother to hospital. “This amount would have been saved if we had got to treat my mother at my local heath post.”

She said that there were two positions of doctors at the local hospital. “However, none of them has been present for two weeks,” she said. “Administration has always neglected such serious issues related to common people. We suffered but may others not face such difficulties,” she added.

This is not a single case of people searching for treatment from the hospital. Arjun Basnet from Ropla, who is studying in GCE Cambridge A level at Xavier International College, came to show his blood report at KMH but he could not meet his doctor. “Doctor could not come to hospital despite his schedule as no vehicle was allowed to run,” said an official at the hospital.

According to the KMH administration, only 73 patients visited hospital for treatment today. The number was 341 yesterday.

Story of the government owned biggest Bir Hospital is no more different from this one. Only 300 patients registered their names today for the treatment while 1,200 patients regularly visit hospital everyday. “Only one third of its medical staff are present today due to the bandh,” said an official at the administration section of Bir Hospital.

This feature news was published in THE HIMALAYAN TIMES, dated June 2, 2009.

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MoLD to implement LG Act after a decade

Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, June 1

The Ministry of Local Development (MoLD) has come up with the resolution to fully implement the regulation under the Local Governance Act 2055BS from the coming fiscal year.

“Though the regulation came into effect then, it was not completely implemented in practice,” said Narahari Sharma Bhandari, officer at the Municipal Management Section, the MOLD. “We are all set to enforce it from mid-July,” he affirmed.

The MoLD has set criteria of minimum condition performance measure (MCPM) to provide budget under the Local Governance Community Development Programme for the municipalities from the next fiscal year.

“The ministry has formulated the MCPM to provide budget under the LGCDP project in the municipalities,” said Bhandari. “The budget of those municipalities, which are weaker in the performance, will be reduced by 25 per cent,” he said.

There are 58 municipalities in the country. Rs 75 million will be provided to the 58 municipalities on the basis of the MCPM, according to the MoLD. MC comprises of 15 conditions whereas PM has 40 points.

The MC includes approval of the annual budget, audit, analysis, transparency, operation of information section, internal audit, estimation of revenues and identification of resources of the concerned municipalities.

“Fourteen municipalities with top performance will be given additional 25 per cent of the budget while other 14 municipalities with poor performance will be reduced 25 per cent of the budget,” said Bhandari. “And 30 municipalities with the satisfactory performance will also be divided into two groups. First 15 better municipalities will get additional 10 per cent of the budget and other 15 will get 10 per cent less budget,” he added.

Bhandari said that the MoLD was scrutinizing the performance of the municipalities. “We will complete the monitoring by the end of June and the annual budget will announce its decision,” he said.

The MoLD has decided to allocate at least Rs two million to each of the municipalities on the criteria of poverty level, area and population. “This formula includes education, poverty, health and sanitation programmes,” said Chakra Pani Sharma, officer at the MoLD.

The MoLD provides a grant of Rs 320 million (Rs 55.5 million on administrative expenditure and Rs 264.5 million on development) to the municipalities. Similarly, Rs 160 million is allocated for local level agriculture roads while Rs 2.5-5 million is provided for the people’s participatory programmes in those municipalities.

Meanwhile, Rs 1.33 billion is allocated for the municipalities as per 1.5 per cent of the taxes charged at the custom offices for the municipalities. “We also provide them additional Rs 5 million for each of the six projects under the reserve fund. Each of the municipalities will get three projects first and additional three will be granted on the basis of performance,” said Sharma.

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