Focus On Local Bodies
Minister of Local Development Dev Prasad Gurung has emphasised on the need to empower local government institutions to make service delivery stronger and effective. At a programme organised in the capital this week, Minister Gurung pointed out the fact that the government was serious about strengthening the capacity of the local governments to serve the people and address their aspirations. Outlining the context of the absence of elected representatives in the local bodies for a considerable length of time, Minister Gurung stressed that the duty of the government bureaucracy has become very onerous and seminal as they have to carry out several responsibilities to ensure that the people got the services according to their expectation. He made special mention of the role and responsibility of the local government institutions, including the DDCs and VDCs, to plan and implement local development activities so that popular expectations and aspirations are fulfilled without any obstructions.
Referring to the evolving context of the country, Minister Gurung remarked that the country had attained peace and normalcy and that the political parties were working to settle several issues through dialogue and negotiation. As the people are heaving a sigh of relief due to the evolving peace in the country, the local bodies should take special note of the incomplete development projects which occurred due to different reasons in the past, and these should be completed without incurring any delays. However, it is worrying to note that the VDC secretaries have not been able to operate in some parts of the Terai as armed groups have intimidated and presented obstacles in their functioning. The government should be serious enough to ensure that the law and order situation is maintained and local bodies are allowed to operate without any disturbances. Moreover, as per a provision in the interim constitution, all the political mechanisms should be established in the local bodies to ensure that local democracy starts functioning smoothly. Unless the local bodies are based on democratic values and deliver services appropriately, it will be difficult to satisfy the aspirations of the people.
Source: The Rising Nepal, May 21, 2007
Referring to the evolving context of the country, Minister Gurung remarked that the country had attained peace and normalcy and that the political parties were working to settle several issues through dialogue and negotiation. As the people are heaving a sigh of relief due to the evolving peace in the country, the local bodies should take special note of the incomplete development projects which occurred due to different reasons in the past, and these should be completed without incurring any delays. However, it is worrying to note that the VDC secretaries have not been able to operate in some parts of the Terai as armed groups have intimidated and presented obstacles in their functioning. The government should be serious enough to ensure that the law and order situation is maintained and local bodies are allowed to operate without any disturbances. Moreover, as per a provision in the interim constitution, all the political mechanisms should be established in the local bodies to ensure that local democracy starts functioning smoothly. Unless the local bodies are based on democratic values and deliver services appropriately, it will be difficult to satisfy the aspirations of the people.
Source: The Rising Nepal, May 21, 2007
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