KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 11

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said 'public accountable democratic exercise' has been further strengthened in the country after the newly-elected people's representatives assumed their offices.

Inaugurating the 3rd General Convention of National Association of Rural Municipalities in Nepal here today, PM Deuba hailed the local level government as a pillar of federalism and democracy, adding, 'The new priority should ensure good-governance and development through the strengthening of the local government.

PM Deuba also said some confusions regarding concurrent rights should be made clear and all should work in unison for successful implementation of federalism.

'The federal government is required to take prompt initiatives to draft laws and implement them for the local and province levels. Priority should be accorded to issues concerning very important laws, including civil service, education, agriculture and health care, and to make old-fashioned laws in line with the constitution,' PM Deuba added.

PM Deuba was of the viewthat good-governance could be institutionalised at the local levels if they moved ahead by applying reform measures, including structural reforms, robust internal control mechanisms, use of new technology in service delivery, balance between loss and income, service recipient-centric plans, training and research and new market strategy.

PM Deuba also asked the local levels to formulate their plans in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), create employment opportunities for the skilled and educated human resources at home and ensure debate, discussions and interactions among people's representatives, officials and people.

PM Deuba stressed the need to widen the role of local government to include conservation, utilisation, and promotion of natural and cultural heritages, skill-generating education, environment conversation and other issues.

The association is an umbrella institution of 460 rural municipalities from across the country. The event that will continue for three days is scheduled to elect its 37-member central working committee for the upcoming five years.

A version of this article appears in the print on December 12, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.