Pokhara, February 19

Gandaki Province Chief Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung has said development and prosperity of the country is bound to remain elusive until the sub-national bodies are invested with financial powers.

Speaking at an interaction, Gurung described devolution of financial power to the province and local levels as a precondition for development and prosperity and asked, “How reasonable is it to expect us to do wonders by denying us financial powers?”

“The national government doesn’t send us enough budget and the provincial government lacks financial power. How on earth do we launch popular programmes for the public?” he further asked leader, who had said democracy and nationalism would be strong only when sub-national governments were strong.

Gurung also said that the decision to mobilise police and chief district officers should lie with the provincial governments, citing the responsibility of the provincial governments in maintaining peace and order in the provinces, under their jurisdiction.