National
DRCN lauds dialogue about local body restructuring, calls for basis and justification
Democracy Resource Center Nepal (DRCN) has lauded the ongoing dialogue about local body restructuring as encouraging and called for its continuation between the government, political parties, Local Body Restructuring Commission (LBRC) and other stakeholders.Democracy Resource Center Nepal (DRCN) has lauded the ongoing dialogue about local body restructuring as encouraging and called for its continuation between the government, political parties, Local Body Restructuring Commission (LBRC) and other stakeholders.
Urging for continued respect for the constitutional mandate of the LBRC, the center has considered the government decision to make Ilakas the main basis for restructuring saying that this “middle path” is an expedient political solution.
“Comprised of an impartial panel of experts, the LBRC is best placed to ensure that restructuring upholds the best interest of the Nepali citizenry,” read a statement issued by DRCN on Thursday.
However, the center has noted that discourse, largerly focused on a specific number, lacks how the restructuring will achieve the fundamental objectives of restructuring – good governance, fairer representation, better service delivery and increased development.
Acknowledging that determining the number and boundaries of Nepal’s new local bodies is a complex and highly technial issue, the center has concluded that it should not be compromised by politicisation.
“Current convention is that restructuring will result in a number of local bodies somewhere between the 565 proposed by the LBRC, and 927 based on the current ilaka structure,” the statement further read.
Stating that clear basis and justification for restructuring are essential, the centre has stressed on the need for informed research by LBRC members and relevant experts in consultation with all relevant stakeholders.
“The LBRC should work in a transparent manner, impartially, and make information related to its decision-making and the criteria it uses to restructure local bodies readily available to the public,” read the statement.
The DRCN has noted that the LBRC should ensure that it properly addresses the concerns raised by different groups across Nepal for the restructuring process to be accepted at the local level.
It further suggested that the government must address Madeshi and Tharu demands that provincial boundaries be delineated before local body restructuring begins in order to ensure that the local body restructuring process is accepted and implemented in the Tarai.