The government has added 23  local units and elevated two sub metropolitan cities to metropolis in Tarai districts, making the total number of local units 767.

A Cabinet meeting on Monday increased local units in 12 Tarai districts, elevated Biratangar and Birgunj as metropolitan cities and elevated 24 village councils of nine Tarai districts to municipalities. The Cabinet decision follows the recommendation by a ministerial task force headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Development, Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar . 

Similarly, the taskforce also recommended the government to elevate the 24 village councils of nine Tarai districts to municipalities. The panal had recommended increasing the numbers of local units in 12 Tarai districts. 

The taskforce was formed after the Madhes-based parties demanded the government increase the number of local units. The taskforce prepared the report after holding discussions with the leaders of disgruntled Madhes-based parties.

As per the government decision, two units have been increased in Sunsari, three in Sarlahi, two in Saptari, two in Rauthat, one in Parsa, one in Dhanusha, one in Bara, three in Nawalparasi, three in Rupandhehi,  three Kapilvastu, one in Kailali and one Banke.

Earlier, the number of local units across the country had been fixed at 744 by adding 25 to the earlier number of 719 recommended by Local Level Restructuring Commission (LLRC) on its report.The LLRC on January 6 had submitted its report to the government.