KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 23
The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration has revised the 'Local Level Administrative Building Infrastructure Development Programme Operating Procedure-2021' to enable local governments to deliver services in a more effective manner through development and construction of physical infrastructure required for them.
The procedure, which has been published on the MoFAGA website, requires the federal and local governments to carry out the programme on a cost participation basis. As per the procedure, a local level will have to submit a proposal to the Department of Local Infrastructure by mid-January of each fiscal for construction of administrative building.
However, the local level cannot resubmit a proposal in the case of an under-construction project.
While submitting a proposal to the department, the local level will have to commit to cost participation. As per the procedure, a rural municipality will have to contribute at least 40 per cent of the total cost, municipality (at least 50 per cent) and sub-metropolitan city (at least 60 per cent) depending on inland revenue capacity and availability of physical infrastructure of the local level.
Upon receipt of the proposal, the department will prioritise projects and submit them to a six-member steering committee headed by the chief of Planning and Development Cooperation Division at the MoFAGA for approval by mid-February each year. The functions and powers of the committee are to approve, monitor, coordinate and provide policy guidance to the local levels for the project.
The cost estimate of the project shall not exceed Rs 90 million for rural municipality, Rs 120 million for municipality and Rs 150 million for a sub-metropolitan city. The amount to be borne by the federal government shall be 60 per cent for the rural municipality, 50 per cent for municipality and 40 per cent for sub-metropolis.
However, the government may provide additional grants to rural municipalities and municipalities in remote areas that are at the bottom of the Human Development Index.
The local levels need to prepare a cost estimate for the construction of infrastructure according to population, number of elected people's representatives, size of human resources and geographical location. Similarly, they are required to bear the deficit amount for construction of administrative building if the budget allocated by the government is not sufficient to complete the project.
The local level has to arrange land on their own for project development, says the revised procedure reads. Once the project is approved, the local level concerned has to prepare a detailed project report to reflect local art and culture. The local level may also obtain necessary consultancy service while preparing the DPR.
The DPR should be prepared on the basis of soil test at the project site, National Building Code and standards of office chambers for office-bearers and employees. Procurement proceedings for construction of infrastructure shall be consistent with the existing Public Procurement Act and Rules.
According to the revised provisions, the local levels shall themselves carry out the procurement process for the project.
A version of this article appears in the print on November 24, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.
