Pokhara/Kavre, June 13

A three-day orientation training programme for chiefs and deputy chiefs of all the municipalities and rural municipalities of 11  districts of Province 4 commenced, in Pokhara, today. The training programme mainly focuses on operation and management of local levels.

Inaugurating the orientation training, Chief Secretary Som Lal Subedi instructed the newly elected people’s representatives to be more responsible and efficient in service delivery to the people. He advised them to utilise the rights and authority given to them by the state.

“You represented different parties and ideologies before the civic polls. But after elections, you have to be the voice of all and should be able to rise above party ideology. Hence, you have to give key priority to service delivery without partiality. You need to be economic while allocating budget and launching projects,” said Subedi.

He also said the representatives had to heed the adverse effects of climate change and earthquake hazards. “While constructing structures, let’s ensure they are earthquake resilient,” said Subedi.  He also emphasised the need to develop women, children and make villages and towns disabled-friendly.

Likewise, Deputy Auditor General Tanka Mani Sharma gave a session on proper utilisation of financial rights, mobilisation of revenue rights, inter-state bodies financial handover, mobilisation of revenues and expenses. Similarly, constitution expert Kashi Raj Dahal and Secretary at the Ministry of Local Development Dinesh Thapaliya gave details of the new federal  structure.

Meanwhile, in Kavre too the newly elected local representatives received training on the rights, duties and responsibilities of elected representatives under the federal set-up.

District Coordination Committee is conducting training programmes in different phases. According to Panchkhal town Chief Mahesh Kharel, the local body will make town development plans only after learning about the legal provisions regarding the rights and duties of local bodies.

Similary, Dhulikhel town Chief Ashok Byaju said the training was helpful in educating elected representatives about their rights and duties. “The training will be instrumento make local representatives accountable,” he remarked. Chauri Deurali Rural Municipality Chairperson Dinanath Gautam said he was happy to learn about the legal provisions, rights and duties of local bodies under the federal structure. “Our job is to bring prosperity, which won’t be easy unless we are clear about the legal provisions, duties and responsibilities,” he explained.