OPMCM, NPC and concerned federal and provincial ministries may monitor projects Kathmandu, March 12 The government today tabled the Monitoring and Evaluation Bill-2020 at the National Assembly for consideration. The bill aims to make development activities transparent and results-based by systematising monitoring and evaluation of existing policies and plans. Criteria and indicators of monitoring and evaluation of development activities at the federal, provincial and local levels include long-term vision, periodic plan and strategy, project documentation, result framework, approved annual development program, design and cost-benefit, target outcomes, efficiency, relevancy, gender equality and inclusion, international treaties and agreement. As per the bill, the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, National Planning Commission and concerned ministries at the federal level may conduct monitoring and evaluation of development activities to ensure quality and timely completion of projects and hold the concerned agencies accountable. The bill authorises the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers and the National Planning Commission to carry out meta-evaluation for assessment and review of previous monitoring and evaluation conducted by other agencies. The implementing agency may carry out monitoring and evaluation of a project through a third party as well. The bill envisages an eight-member  National Development Problems Solution Committee headed by the prime minister. It includes all ministers of the federal and provincial governments, NPC vice-chairperson and members, chief secretary, finance secretary and NPC secretary as members. Functions, duties and power of the committee are to review progress of development projects, issue directives regarding problems encountered during project implementation, solve inter-ministry and policy problems, conduct investigation into performance of project chief and carry out other functions as deemed necessary. Each ministry of the federal government will have a 12-member Ministry Level Problem Solution Committee led by the concerned ministry. The committee shall be responsible to review implementation status of projects being operated under it and ensure whether the concerned agency or official has conducted monitoring and evaluation for effective operation of the project. The NPC shall develop information system and networking through electronic means for systematic and speedy monitoring and evaluation of projects. All public entities shall be connected to such system. The bill also stipulates a provision of code of ethics to be followed by the concerned monitors and evaluators. “The Government of Nepal may reward the chief or employees of a project, who achieves significant progress during monitoring and evaluation. Any errant official shall be liable to departmental action under this bill and other penalties in accordance with the existing laws,” it reads. The bill authorises concerned agencies to include service providers and beneficiaries in the monitoring and evaluation team, besides conducting public audit, social audit and public hearing to promote social accountability of development projects.