Koshi Chief Minister objects to finance ministry’s circular to curb spending

ITAHARI: Koshi Province Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki has objected to a federal government circular directing spending cuts.

He termed the decision an example of federal interference in the financial and administrative rights of provinces and labeled it a form of “authoritarian rule”.

According to a 12-point plan introduced by the Ministry of Finance to manage financial pressures ahead of the upcoming general elections scheduled for March 5, only the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Speaker, Chairperson of the National Assembly, provincial chiefs, and federal and provincial ministers are permitted to have personal secretaries. Ministers and province chiefs also cannot appoint more than three staff members in their secretariats.

Writing a post on his social media page on Wednesday, Karki warned that authoritarian rule will not be tolerated in a country governed by the rule of law and constitutional supremacy. “All tiers of government must make decisions strictly within their legal jurisdiction and authority,” he added.

Karki argued that the federal government’s spending cut decision undermines the economic rights of provinces guaranteed by the constitution.

“In a country governed by the rule of law and constitutional supremacy, authoritarian rule cannot prevail! The country, provinces, and local governments must be run in a corruption-free and well-governed manner,” Karki wrote. “Making decisions and taking actions within one’s legal jurisdiction is the true democratic culture, consistent with the rule of law. We must all abide by the constitution and the law! Long live the people’s multiparty democracy! Long live CPN-UML!”