KATHMANDU, JANUARY 28

The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration has directed all the district coordination committees to make necessary arrangements for operation and implementation of approved projects at the local levels in conformity with the Local Infrastructure Development Partnership (Operating Procedure) Regulations, 2020.

Stating that it had released a budget of Rs 6.07 billion to 695 local levels through the Line Ministry Budgetary Information System as per the January 24 secretary-level decision, the MoFAGA today told the DDCs concerned to ensure quality construction of the approved projects within the period stipulated in the agreement.

The local levels are entitled to receive up to Rs 27 million as per the number of projects that are set to be implemented.

However, the budget has not been allocated to 58 local levels, including Kathmandu district, read a notice published by the Planning and Monitoring Section at the MoFAGA.

The regulations stipulate necessary provisions for selection, prioritisation of development programmes throughout the country. The regulations allow selection and implementation of a maximum of 30 projects at an estimated cost of up to Rs 1 million rupees in each constituency.

The projects cover various areas such as irrigation, landslide control, construction and upgradation of roads, water supply and sanitation, conservation of heritage sites, micro hydroelectricity and electrification, health facilities, agricultural productivity, sports infrastructure, orphanage, housing for homeless, infrastructure development of community schools, promotion of interests of persons with disabilities, among others.

The projects are selected by a five-member steering committee formed under a member of the House of Representatives elected under the firstpast-the-post system in each constituency. In the case of dissolution of the HoR, the committee is led by the chief of the District Coordination Committee concerned, which also coordinates and facilitates the implementation and management of projects.

The functions and duties of the committee are to collect details of the projects that may be implemented in cost partnership and to solve the problems arising in the course of implementation of programmes or projects. The regulations prohibit selection and implementation of programmes in such a manner as to collude with political parties and their sister organisations by sidelining the broader interest of people.

As per the regulations, the power to implement the selected projects is vested within the local level concerned. The regulations require the committee to prioritise infrastructure projects that are disabled-friendly, create labour-based employment, ensure maximum public participation and reduce disaster risk. Any project with a cost estimate of over Rs five million shall be awarded to a contractor through bidding in line with the Public Procurement Act and Rules.

However, a project with less than Rs five million may be executed through the user group. The concerned local level is the implementing body of the programme. The chief administration officer of the local level concerned shall be responsible for ensuring the quality and timely completion of the project.