Province governments should empower local governments: Balen

KATHMANDU: Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah has questioned the relevance of provincial government, asking why it is needed if all local government grievances have to be directed to the federal government.

During a meeting with Bagmti Province’s Principal Secretary Dr Hari Prasad Lamsal at the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Office on Sunday, Mayor Shah said provincial governments should take powers from the federal government and delegate them to empower local governments. “But this does not seem to be happening. If local governments must take all their problems to the federal government, what’s the purpose of having a provincial government?” he questioned.

Shah also complained that the federal government was becoming unnecessarily active in matters that could have been solved by provincial and local governments. “The federal government becomes active even in addressing squatter issues and rehabilitation of people living along river banks,” Shah said. “If the provincial government is nowhere in such matters, what is its relevance? The provincial government should play the role of a guardian in local government affairs. But this is not happening.”

The Kathmandu mayor also objected to the Bagmati Province Government’s filing of a case against Kathmandu Valley Public Transport Authority.

According to the the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Office, the discussion covered various topics, including revenue collection, revenue sharing, staff management, and issues in implementing laws enacted by the KMC.