Facing a ‘continuous snub’ from Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal in receiving the final report on state restructure, the Local Level Restructuring Commission (LLRC) is preparing to register the report at Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) unless he gives time by Sunday.

Having completed the restructuring of all 75 districts on Tuesday, the commission had sought time from PM Dahal to submit the report the following day. But he has been avoiding receiving the report, citing his busy schedule. He has visited Humla, Surkhet and Dhading where he attended public functions and training session of his party cadres over the past three-days. 

In a meeting with commission’s Chairman Balananda Poudel last Saturday, PM Dahal had assured him to allow time by Wednesday.

Dormani Poudel, a committee member, said that they are expecting the PM would give them time to receive the report on Sunday. “We are hopeful that PM spares some time to receive the report on Sunday,” he told the Post. 

Tanka Mani Sharma, secretary at the PMO, lamented PM Dahal’s busy schedule for the delay in receiving the report saying that he does not have time till Saturday due to pre-planned activities.

Following PM’s request, the LLRC had finalised the report on Tuesday, three-months before its formal deadline, amid serious reservations from the agitating regional parties. And the commission officials’ patience is running thin with every passing day.

“We worked round the clock to complete the report, but now we are having difficulty to submit it,” said another member of the commission, requesting anonymity. 

The commission has kept the report under wraps so far. “But, we will register the report at the PMO and make it public if the PM does not receive it by Sunday,” the member said.

According to sources, PM Dahal is under pressure from coalition partner Nepali Congress not to receive the report as all the existing local bodies will be dissolved once the report is submitted. 

As per Article 303 of the constitution, the current local bodies will become redundant after the LLRC submits its report to the government. 

The NC, the largest party in Parliament, is in favour of holding the local level elections under the existing structure. 

The NC is believed to have taken this stance—against legalising the new structures—to win over Madhesi parties who have been opposing the restructuring.

The LLRC has proposed around 725 village and municipal councils under the new structure. 

Once the PM receives the LLRC report, the country will have around 725 local units instead of the existing 217 municipalities and 3,117 village development committees.