KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 7

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said it is essential to have citizens' direct oversight on the government and system to strengthen democracy.

PM Dahal said this while releasing a book, 'Local Government: Expectation and Status' penned by former deputy mayor of Belkotgadhi Municipality of Nuwakot, Kabita Dhungana, here today. He underscored the need to boost citizens' oversight on the government and state affairs.

"The book is a reflection of experiences of local governments. It describes both theoretical and practical aspects of local governments," PM Dahal commented. He also congratulated author Kabita Dhungana for the work.

"The national responsibility is to strengthen federal democratic republic. We are now formulating necessary laws to enforce and institutionalise the new system," he viewed. "Occasionally, questions are raised over the new system of federal democratic republic. So, local governments must be made more effective," he argued.

"Some sections of people are against making this system effective. Such feudalistic mindset is resurfacing, which is not acceptable," he said.

On the occasion, Nepali Congress leader Arjung Narsing KC said the book was useful to know the activities of the local government.

Chairman of the National Natural Resource and Finance Commission, Balanand Paudel and National Assembly member Devendra Dahal viewed that all sides' support and cooperation was essential to make the local governments effective and strong.

Writer Dhungana informed that she wrote the book describing how the local governments could be made further effective and people ensured good governance. "It has also dovetailed my experiences," she added. The book is published by Khoji Publication.

A version of this article appears in the print on October 8, 2023, of The Himalayan Times