National
58 districts yet to hand in reports
Even as the extended deadline given to the district technical committees of the Local Level Restructuring Commission (LLRC) for submitting their reports ended on Saturday, only 17 districts have submitted their reports so far.Even as the extended deadline given to the district technical committees of the Local Level Restructuring Commission (LLRC) for submitting their reports ended on Saturday, only 17 districts have submitted their reports so far.
On October 22, the LLRC had directed all the district committees to submit their reports by November 5. The LLRC has till mid-November to submit its final report to allow ample time for the Election Commission to prepare for the local level elections which have been announced for March-April by the government.
The commission is holding a meeting on Monday to decide on whether to extend the deadline or not for the technical committees and devise further strategies.
LLRC members including Sunil Ranjan Singh and Pabitra Subba Shrestha claimed that the LLRC was preparing to extend the deadline once again at least by 10 days. However, LLRC officials said they were not optimistic about eight districts of Province 2 submitting their reports even if more time is given to technical committees.
Singh said the LLRC would urge the political parties to resolve their political issues at the earliest. “But even if the government fails to do so, the LLRC will complete its constitutional responsibilities,” said Singh.
Asked how the commission will resolve the issues, Singh said the LLRC would hold discussions with technical committees and district level leaders of the parties to find a way out. The LLRC in July had proposed 565 local units but parties failed to agree on the proposal.
The 17 districts—Ilam, Achham, Khotang, Rasuwa, Jumla, Bajhang, Banke, Pyuthan Sunsari, Dhankuta, Sindhupalchowk, Dolakha, Chitwan, Karki, Surkhet, Taplejung, Panchthar—have submitted their reports till date. The LLRC, however, is expecting reports from more districts within a week after offices open on Monday.
LLRC Member Secretary Hari Poudel said it may not take one more week for the districts other than disputed ones in the Tarai to submit their reports hence there is no meaning of extending the deadline.