National
Confusion surrounds coordination committee formation in split districts
The splitting of Nawalparasi and Rukum districts into two different provinces has created a unique problem in forming the district coordination committees.The splitting of Nawalparasi and Rukum districts into two different provinces has created a unique problem in forming the district coordination committees.
With the local units in these two districts coming under two different provinces, confusion arises whether to form one or two coordination committees in each district.
While the local units are not divided into different provinces in other districts, officials are at a loss about forming the district coordination committees in Nawalparasi and Rukum.
In case of Nawalparasi, nine local units fall under Province 4 while seven are in Province 5.
In Nawalparasi, local polls have already taken place in Devchuli, Gaindakot, Kawasoti and Madhyabindhu municipalities and Binayi, Bulingtar, Bungdikali and Hupsekot Village Councils.
However, three municipalities—Sunwal, Ramgram and Bardaghat—and four Village Councils—Palhinandan, Sarawal, Pratapur and Tribeni Susta—that fall under Province 5 will hold the elections on June 28.
The same is the case in Rukum where six local units are under Province 6 and three under Province 5.
Elections have already taken place in Musikot, Chaurjahari and Aathbiskot municipalities and Sanibheri, Tribeni and Baphikot Village Councils of Rukum as they are under Province 6.
Polls in three Village Councils of Sisne, Bhume and Putha Uttarganga will take place on June 28 as they are within Province 5.
EC officials say they have sought the Home Ministry’s opinion over the confusion. “We have sent a letter to the ministry seeking the government’s opinion regarding how many District Coordination Committees need to be formed in Nawalparasi and Rukum,” said Dinesh Ghimire, joint secretary at the Election Commission.
Home Ministry officials said they are discussing the matter. “We are yet to reach a conclusion on the matter,” said Deepak Kafle, spokesperson for the ministry.
The role of the district committees is to coordinate between municipalities and Village Councils within a district as well as with the federal and state governments.
There is no clarity on when the District Coordination Committee should be formed. The District Assembly, consisting of mayors or deputy mayors of municipalities and chairpersons or deputy chairpersons of Village Councils, elects the District Coordination Committee where members of village assemblies and municipal assemblies of the concerned district are eligible to be candidates.