KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 2
The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration has issued the 'High Hilly and Mountainous Area Prosperity Programme Procedure, 2022' in a bid to improve the living standard of people in the local levels, which are comparatively lagging behind in Human Development Index.
The procedure aims to introduce programmes related to the development of integrated settlement, physical infrastructure development and livelihood improvement.
It has set seven objectives to attain the goal. They include identification of economically and socially backward groups, communities and geographical areas in the high hills and mountains; determination of geographical areas where programmes or projects should be operated; setting the criteria for selection and prioritisation of projects; management of project implementation, budget allocation and expenditure system; clarification of criteria and process for providing grants; providing clarity about the role of stakeholders in the implementation of projects; and maintenance of uniformity and harmony for implementation of the project.
As per the procedure, projects or programmes will be operated at the local levels of high hilly and mountainous areas of Sudurpaschim and Karnali. Nine local levels of Darchula, 12 local levels of Bajhang, 10 local levels of Achham, eight local levels of Bajura, four local levels of Mugu, eight local levels of Dolpa, seven local levels of Humla, six local levels of Jumla, nine local levels of Kalikot, six local levels of Rukum (West) and seven local levels of Jajarkot will be entitled to the projects or programmes under this procedure.
The procedure envisions a provision of cost partnership to instil a sense of ownership of development activities in the local levels concerned.
The federal government will contribute a maximum of 90 per cent of the total budget, whereas the local levels are obliged to bear a minimum of 10 per cent of the total cost. "The grant amount anywhere between Rs 2.5 million and Rs 20 million will be provided to each local level for implementation of approved development programme or project," it says.
However, the federal government may increase the grant amount on the basis of population of the local level, Human Development Index, poverty rate and needs of economically and social backward groups. The eligible local levels may also operate multi-year programme or project with the approval of the Ministry of Finance.
The programmes or projects to be operated at the local levels include small road upgradation, community infrastructure, water supply and sanitation, irrigation and river training, energy, disaster risk reduction infrastructure, integrated settlement development, income generation and livelihood improvement, among others.
According to the procedure, the local levels are required to submit their proposal along with necessary particulars to the Central Coordination Unit under the MoFAGA by Falgun 5 (February 17) of each fiscal year for operation of any programme or project. The Unit will approve the proposal on the basis of specified criteria. "It will be mandatory for the local levels to operate the programme or project as per the existing Public Procurement Act and other laws," it reads.
The procedure prohibits local levels from spending the grant amount for salary or allowance to any employee, person or political office-bearer, fuel and maintenance of vehicle, house rent, telephone and water tariff, donation to political parties and their sister wings, financial assistance and reward. It also stipulates the provision for a seven-member Central Steering Committee lead by secretary at the MoFAGA for coordinating and facilitating the local levels.
A version of this article appears in the print on February 3, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
