Commission makes it mandatory for local units to appoint information officers : This directive follows an audit conducted by the NIC in 52 local levels across four districts in Madhes and Lumbini provinces (kp 08/10/2024)

Balenomics: Unlocking the Hidden Potential of Jhochhen Tole, by Bimal Pratap Shah (rep 07/10/2024)

Is Kathmandu Metropolis clean? What are Balen’s new plans?, by Yukala Paudel (kh 18/09/2024)

Are Balen’s supporters ‘unfollowing’ PM Oli’s Facebook page? (kh 04/09/2024), Facebook apologizes and restores Balen's status (rep 06/09/2024)

Deputy Mayor Dangol raises questions about Mayor Balen's working style (rep 03/09/2024)

Kathmandu’s rapper mayor Balendra Shah battles PM Oli over inaction : Experts link Shah’s outsider status and unconventional approach to rising tensions with political elites, by Purushottam Poudel (kp 03/09/2024)

Balen’s status with Sharma’s photo removed from facebook, but remains on ‘X’ (rep 03/09/2024)

Land fragmentation halted in six local bodies of Taplejung, by Khagendra Adhikari (rep 01/09/2024)

Local level by-elections likely to be held in December (kh 23/08/2024)

Okhaldhunga freezes Rs 793 million development budget for FY 2022/23 (kh 13/08/2024)

KMC orders Chaudhary Group to vacate government land in Bansbari within 2 days (kh 12/08/2024)

Illegally constructed structures to be demolished in Kanchanpur (kh 10/08/2024)

KMC launching five fair-price pharmacies : Kathmandu Metropolitan City officials say the aim is to provide medicines at prices significantly lower than the maximum retail prices (kp 09/08/2024)

Former KMC Mayor Shakya warns Mayor Balen against hooliganism (rep 03/08/2024)

Kathmandu metropolis to monitor the city’s air quality on its own : It has received 17 portable air quality monitoring sensors, which are being calibrated with ground stations operating in the Capital (kp 02/08/2024)

Dharan political parties protest hike in water tap installation charges : The parties had earlier issued an ultimatum demanding sub-metropolis roll back the hike, by Arjun Subedi (kp 02/08/2024)

Kathmandu Mayor Balen says no construction within 20 meters of riverbanks (kh 01/08/2024)

Lalitpur Metropolitan City demolishes illegal structures in Satdobato (Photos) (kh 01/08/2024)

Why did Mayor Balen step back in the New Road footpath expansion ‘battle’?, by Safalta Bhandari (rep 23/07/2024)

Over to Balen’s court : He would do well to devise a well-thought-out plan that will benefit the city and its peripheral citizens (kp 19/07/2024)

Court ruling to boost KMC’s push to evict riverside squatters : Bagmati Civilisation officials say squatter hut demolition will resume with a simultaneous relocation plan, by Purushottam Poudel (kp 18/07/2024)

LMC demolishes illegal settlements in Balkumari (photos)  (kh 14/07/2024)

Campaigners capacitated for effective CFLG implementation (kh 13/07/2024)

KMC imposes fine of Rs 200,000 for sending foul-smelling sauce in online momo order (rep 13/07/2024)

Balen's Posthumanist Vision for the Mindfulness City : This holistic approach aims to conserve natural habitats, revitalize urban areas, and promote biodiversity within the cityscape, by Bimal Pratap Shah (rep 09/07/2024)

Mayor Balen has been targeted for failure because he won independently: RPP Chief Whip Shahi (kh 01/07/2024) [Balendra Shah has many good ideas, but sometimes disregards the fundamental rights of the citizens concerned and existing laws when implementing them. However, he certainly does not need the support of an unconstitutionally orientated party like the RPP!]

Auditor General questions Rs 121.5 million in grants distributed by Kathmandu Mayor Balen (rep 28/06/2024)

KMC deploys a team of 622 people to combat dengue menace (rep 28/06/2024)

Dispute between Kathmandu Mayor Balen and Ward Chairs escalates, halts municipal assembly meeting (kh 28/06/2024)

Fiscal and governance issues at local levels: It is vital to address fiscal and administrative challenges for effective governance and service delivery, by Khim Kak Devkota (kp 26/06/2024)

Is the seemingly cordial relation between KMC mayor and deputy breaking down? KMC Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol on Monday broke her silence on Mayor Balendra Shah’s incendiary statements, by Purushottam Poudel (kp 26/06/2024), Unity, not division, should define Municipal governance, by Sunita Dangol (kh 2806/2024)

Govt decides to disburse previously-halted FEG of Rs 17 billion to local govts (rep 24/06/2024)

Representatives from NC, UML and Unified Socialist oppose Mayor Balen’s ‘No Vehicle Zone’ proposal (kh 24/06/2024)

Mister Terminator : Balen Shah is seeking to become more Newar than Newars of Kathmandu, by Narayan Manandhar (rep 21/06/2024)

Kathmandu metropolis spends only 36.55% of its budget in 11 months (kh 18/06/2024)

Corruption Sapping Local Governments, by Ballav Dahal (rn 17/06/2024)

Mayor Balen warns ward chairs not to bring party affiliations to municipal assembly (rep 16/06/2024)

Scrap dealers start street protests against Kathmandu metropolis (kh 16/06/2024)

KMC to restructure primary education into two levels (rep 15/06/2024)

KMC announces 'No Vehicle Zone' for ancient areas including New Road and Handigaon (rep 14/06/2024) [The war goes on though is is more and more international standard!]

KMC arranges 374 beds for helpless at 52 hospitals (kh 04/06/2024)

Pokhara enforcing building codes strictly (ae 04/06/2024)

How the hostility between Road Division and KMC came to a head in New Road : Metropolis officials said that they are determined to expand the sidewalks in New Road areas (kp 04/06/2024), Congress backs Kathmandu mayor’s New Road sidewalk expansion bid : Road office, under the ministry led by UML, foiled Balendra Shah’s plan to widen footpaths in the business district (kp 07/06/2024) [It is an essential part of modern urban planning worldwide to reduce traffic areas for cars in favour of pedestrians!]

Local representatives picket finance ministry over grant reduction : Say budget cuts caused project delays and service disruptions (kp 03/06/2024)

Local bodies sans law officers, creating legal chaos in local govts, by BP Aryal (ae 03/06/2024)

Kathmandu Road Division Office summons KMC mayor Balen to appear within three days, by Bhuwan Sharma (rep 02/06/2024)

KMC urges citizens for preventive measures against dengue (rn 02/06/2024)

Bharatpur records lowest arrears among six metropolises (rep 29/05/2024)

Funds crunch leaves local units unable to test drinking water : As monsoon looms, risk rises of deadly microbe contamination in most water sources. Bottled water brands are also not safe (kp 28/05/2024)

Watering grassroots : Nepal can’t develop without improving the status of its villages, including on service delivery (kp 28/05/2024)

New Road locals protest against Mayor Balen Shah’s attempts to widen sidewalks reducing road (In photos) (kh 27/05/2024), Road Division directs KMC to reconstruct demolished roads at New Road within two days (kh 30/05/2024), Mayor Balen calls for unity to beautify New Road (kh 31/05/2024), Mayor Balen Shah defends footpath expansion in New Road amidst protests (rep 31/05/2024) [Your problem is the approach, not so much the goal! You have repeatedly taken an authoritarian approach!]

KMC dumps truckload of dirt outside road division office : Mayor Balendra Shah warns of continuing the symbolic protest until Transport Minister Mahaseth orders resumption of the Ring Road expansion work (kp 26/05/2024), Kathmandu Road Division raises concern over KMC’s move of throwing garbage in front of office (rep 26/05/2024)

Birgunj Metropolis witnesses surge in investment spending (kh 24/05/2024)

Women lead the way in Kathmandu city management, by Ruby Rauniyar (rep 20/05/2024)

Mayor Balen announces 101 companies attempting land swaps like Giri Bandhu Tea Estate (rep 20/05/2024)

KMC verifying new names of private schools, 128 renamed : Officials at the education department of the metropolis say some schools have changed their names through the Office of the Company Registrar (kp 17/05/2024)

Case filed against Mayor Shah and City Police Chief Raju Pandey in Kathmandu District Court (rep 17/05/2024)

KMC warns of strict measures against negligent health workers (kh 11/05/2024)

Dalit women in local governance : Political parties must understand that quotas don’t ensure adequate and meaningful resources, by Sajhana Tolange (kp 05/05/2024)

‘Development’ putting communal living in danger : As open spaces in the valley are slowly being encroached, people are deprived of chances to live communally, to rejuvenate mentally and to have a safe space when disaster strikes, by Anish Ghimire (kp 05/05/2024)

Balen's Eventful Tenure, by Sugam Gautam (rn 02/05/2024)

Mayors’ Forum urges Finance Minister Pun to address NEA-local levels electricity dues dispute (kh 26/04/2024)

KMC bars private schools from collecting admission fees from continuing students ; Warns of legal action. But schools say law allows them to levy some charge annually, by Arjun Poudel (kp 20/04/2024)

The rise of high-rises : Nine years after the 2015 earthquake, Kathmandu has to ask: how safe are the new tall structures, by Sonia Awale (nt 19/04/2024)

Thamel to remain operational 24 hours from April 13 onward (kh 11/04/2024), Police prepare special security plan for keeping Thamel, Durbarmarga areas open 24 hours (kh 11/04/2024), Durbar Marg and Thamel area to open 24 hours (kh 13/04/2024)

Role Of Youth In Local Governance, by Jagdish Ayer (rn 09/04/2024)

Curfew extended in two local levels in Sunsari amid ongoing disputes (kh 08/04/2024)

KMC prohibits schools from selling uniforms and stationery items (rep 06/04/2024)

Clash in Sunsari leads to police firing six aerial shots, curfew clamped (rep 05/04/2024), Sunsari DAO extends prohibitory orders to three more municipalities to avoid untoward incidents (rep 05/04/2024), Five Sunsari local units under curfew : The move followed a violent clash between youth groups, by Arjun Subedi (kp 06/04/2024)

Over 1,000 unemployed youths apply for job at Kathmandu metropolis, 400 already start work : Officials say anyone unemployed among the metropolis’ permanent or temporary residents can apply for a job (kp 04/04/2024)

KMC warns to take action if institutional schools fail to adopt names reflecting Nepali identity (rep) [Yes, and people whose parents have given them a non-Nepali first name must change their name within a week! What nonsense and a blatant violation of personal freedoms! But then the English names of political parties must also be changed immediately!! Even the word "Party" should not be allowed! And what about "Kathmandu Metropolitan City"? It's a foreign term!], Lessons not learnt, homework not done : Nepal’s identity is reflected not by the names of schools, but by the quality of instruction in them (nt 05/04/2024)

Birgunj metropolis continues removing illegal structures (rep 02/04/2024)

KMC sets deadline for private schools to adopt Nepali identity in names (kp 29/23/2024) [Completely unimportant nonsense and undemocratic paternalism!]

Kathmandu metropolis plans running fair price pharmacies : Officials say the pharmacies will provide medicines at a cheaper rate than MRP (kp 28/03/2024)

KMC mandates 20 percent space for parking in new houses (rep 26/03/2024)

KMC to start health insurance program from mid-May (rep 26/03/2024)

Pokhara metropolis courts controversy on multiple fronts (rep 24/03/2024)

KMC issues 3-day ultimatum to remove unauthorized boards on Ring Road (rep 15/03/2024)

KMC reviving ancient names of local heritages (kh 15/03/2024)

KMC to develop five-year strategic plan for disaster management (rep 14/03/2024)

Tilottama among best municipalities in the country, by Keshar Raj Chhetri (ae 13/03/2024)

Local unit’s failure to designate administrative centre affects people : People say the issue of administrative centre remains unresolved due to partisan interests of elected representatives (kp 10/03/2024)

Cycling for livelihood: Can Kathmandu survive without cyclists? Kathmandu municipality considers that getting rid of hawkers and street food vendors makes the city “clean”, by Tara Lal Shrestha and Bidhya Shrestha (kp 10/03/2024)

Lawmaking at the local level : Unlike the local laws, delegated laws enforced by the centre reportedly promote corruption, by Khim Lal Devkota (kp 06/03/2024)

Various local govts propose changing boundaries of 92 wards (rep 04/03/2024)

Balendra Shah treading authoritarian path, say rights activists : They are ‘troubled’ by City police’s use of force on Wednesday against street vendors (kp 04/03/2024), We need a national outlook to solve the problem of street vendors : There is a fundamental question: Why can’t we accommodate human beings while we are ready to accommodate vehicles?, interview with Mahendra Subba (kp 04/03/2024)

Civil society leaders ask KMC Mayor Balen Shah to apologize to street vendors (rep 03/03/2024)

Whose metropolis? The gentrified Kathmandu of Balen’s imagination, we are afraid, will be a city without a soul (kp 01/03/2024)

Disputes among elected officials leave several local units in Sarlahi paralysed : People have been deprived of essential services, teachers of salaries and beneficiaries of social security allowances, by Om Prakash Thakur (kp 29/02/2024)

KMC Senior Law Officer Ghimire accuses Mayor Balen of mental torture (rep 28/02/2024)

Network of deputy chairs demand revision on bill designed to amend Local Government Operation Act (kh 27/02/2024)

Bharatpur metropolis recognized as best-performing metropolis (kh 22/02/2024)

Kathmandu metropolis starts turning household waste into compost manure (kp 21/02/2024)

Illegal structures constructed along Bishnumati river banks being removed (rep 20/02/2024)

Indefinite curfew imposed to contain violent protests in Birgunj lifted till 10AM today (rep 20/02/2024), Curfew partially relaxed in Birgunj (kh 21/02/2024)

District administration imposes curfew in Birgunj after protest over Rautahat idol immersion clash : Ward 7 of Ishanath Municipality in Rautahat has been under curfew since Saturday after two groups engaged in a violent clash on Friday, by Bhusan Yadav and Shiva Puri (kp 20/02/2024)

Clash between locals and police in Dharan (kh 18/02/2024)

Curfew imposed in Ishanath Municipality, Rautahat, following communal clash (kh 17/02/2024), Indefinite curfew order imposed in Rautahat following clash : An incident turned violent when a group of locals, who were heading towards a lake to immerse an idol of goddess Saraswati, were obstructed by another group for allegedly playing loud music, by Shiva Puri (kp 18/02/2024), Rautahat DAO extends curfew in Ishanath Municipality following communal clashes (kh 18/02/2024)

Street vendors stage protests against KMC  (rep 11/02/2024)

Birgunj Mayor Singh admits during interrogation of having two wives, by Bimala Gupta (rep 11/02/2024)

Footnote across the foothills : The deserted town of Koilabas shows how Kathmandu always bypasses those on the margins, by Anurag Acharya (kp 11/02/2024)

Susta rural municipality launches monetary scheme to discourage child marriage (kh 09/02/2024) [The reasons lie in the extremely patriarchal way of thinking, its reflection in politics and laws, the permanent non-inclusion of women and archaic cultural practices in society. They cannot be solved with money!]

Public outcry against Mayor Balen Shah ( In Photos) (kh 08/02/2024)

Ward Chairman in Ramechhap asks locals to cut down trees in their private property to tackle monkey menace (kh 07/02/2024)

Mayor Shah confirms free parking at Dharahara will persist despite Ministry’s directive (kh 05/02/2024)

Pradip Pariyar is new Chief Administrative Officer of Kathmandu metropolis (rep 20/01/2024)

The occupation of Tundikhel : Residents and activists protest Kathmandu mayor’s decision to further constrict the last of Kathmandu's open space, by Sahina Shrestha (nt 19/01/2024)

Dharan Mayor Harka Sampang locks Deputy Vice-Chancellor’s Office at BPKIHS (kh 15/01/2024) [On the basis of which law is the mayor taking this action? Do such measures not require a court order?], BPKIHS Dispute: High Court directs unlocking of acting VC’s office padlocked by Mayor Sampang (kh 19/01/2024)

KMC to provide cyber security training to 4,000 people (rep 14/01/2024)

Nepalgunj sub-metropolis achieves 54% of revenue target in the first half (kh 14/01/2024), Nepalgunj meets 54 percent of revenue target in first half (ae 15/01/2024)

KMC Mayor Shah seeks to replace KMC’s chief administrative officer (rep 12/01/2024)

KMC plans to test quality of milk : Samples of all kinds of milk, packaged and those delivered by farmers, will be tested (kp 12/01/2024)

Two Area administration offices in Khotang halt their service delivery (rep 12/01/2024)

“Say no to tobacco”: How possible is it in Nepal? The Kathmandu Metropolitan City believes that making it harder for people to sell tobacco will deter others from purchasing it. Will this work?, by Rishav Sapkota (nlt 08/01/2024)

Kathmandu metropolis plans sorting household waste sector-wise : Officials say the 32 wards of the city will be divided into eight sectors and waste materials will be segregated in the respective blocks (kp 05/01/2024)

Kathmandu Metropolis suspends three officials including Chief Administrative Officer Adhikari (kh 02/01/2024)

Kathmandu Metropolis introducing ‘Pelican’ system at 36 school crossings (kh 01/01/2024)

KMC starts monitoring infrastructure projects (rep 28/12/2023)

Boost Kathmandu-beautifying Campaign, by Uttam Maharjan (rep 26/12/2023)

Over 3,400 CCTV cameras installed in Kathmandu Valley (kh 21/12/2023)

Rupandehi local unit fights gender bias through cash incentive for birth of girl child : Kotahimai Rural Municipality launched the programme last fiscal year by fostering equality between sons and daughters in local communities, by Sanju Paudel (kp 19/12/2023)

KMC to appoint sign language interpreter (rep 18/12/2023)

Mayor Balen accuses federal govt of obstructing KMC’s development initiatives (kh 18/12/2023), PM Dahal asks KMC Mayor Shah, “Asking questions and leaving immediately?” (rep 18/12/2023), Balen's request to PM: Take initiatives for waste management and prevention of river encroachment (rep 18/12/2023)

Why Kathmandu is visibly cleaner : Several measures taken under Mayor Balendra Shah’s directive are starting to bear fruit, by Arjun Poudel (kp 17/12/2023), What kind of Kathmandu? For Mayor Shah, crafting an eco-friendly and equitable melting pot of people and ideas is a more worthy goal to aspire to (kp 18/12/2023)

PM Dahal acknowledges KMC’s ‘inspiring work’ (kh 15/12/2023), Mayor Shah seeks PM Dahal’s support for waste management and other key issues (kh 15/12/2023)

Prohibitory order imposed in Mahendranagar for 7 days, by Awinash Chaudhary (rn 14/12/2023), Prohibition order imposed in Bhimdatta Municipality amidst political disputes (kh 14/12/2023)

Kathmandu Metropolitan City bans tobacco products starting today (kh 13/12/2023), What KMC can gain from countries with successful smoking bans (kh 13/12/2023), Kathmandu Metropolis ensures ‘No tobacco substance use’ by officials and employees (kh 13/12/2023), KMC mobilizes police to enforce ban on sale of tobacco products (kh 14/12/2023), KMC begins confiscating hidden tobacco products (rep 14/12/2023), KMC’s Good Initiative, by Bini Dahal (rn 15/12/2023), Patan High Court issues interim order against KMC's ban on sale of tobacco products (rep 15/12/2023)

KMC to build 264 bus stops (rn 13/12/2023)

Notes on a city’s success story : Bharatpur’s high citizen participation in development should be recognised as a commendable initiative, by Khim Lal Devkota (kp 13/12/2023)

Tension flares at Birgunj Metropolis as Mayor and Deputy Mayor supporters clash (kh 12/12/2023)

Kathmandu Metropolis joins hand with KU for life skills education (kh 12/12/2023)

KMC to install 4,000 dustbins in public places : The metropolis on Wednesday collected 40 tons of garbage from the hill around Swayambhunath Stupa with the help of 300 cleaning staff (kp 08/12/2023)

Kathmandu Metropolitan City prohibits plastic Christmas trees (kh 06/12/2023)

Bharatpur metropolis launches 'Mayor Health Program' (rep 06/12/2023)

Lalitpur set to enforce ban on sidewalk businesses along Mangal Bazar-Lagankhel road from December 10, by Sara Pahari (rep 06/12/2023), Social campaigner Iih to stage 108-minute protest outside LMC office (rep 12/12/2023), Activist E alleges breach of peaceful protest rights in Lalitpur (kh 12/12/2023)

KMC takes another shot at banning tobacco sale, smoking in public places : The local unit has announced such bans several times in the past, all of which have failed. There is scepticism about whether the latest decision would be anything different (kp 30/11/2023)

Three local units in Mustang call for removal of their areas from list of prohibited zones (rep 22/11/2023) [Why not declare Baluwatar and Singha Darbar as prohibited zones for politicians instead?]

Local administration in Kathmandu declares area between Maitighar Mandala and New Baneshwar a prohibited zone to conduct mass gatherings (rep 20/11/2023), Authority restricts gathering of no more than 5 people from Padmodaya Mode to New Baneshwar (kh 20/11/2023)

23 local govts fail to submit budget details on time (rep 19/11/2023)

KMC cracks down on street flower vendors ahead of Lakxmi Puja (rep 12/11/2023) [???]

New constructions in Badimalika area by Karnali government spark environmental concerns : Local residents have been protesting the alterations and extraction of stones from local streams fearing potential damage to natural surroundings, by Basanta Pratap Singh (kp 04/11/2023)

Judicial committees need more teeth, by Krishna Man Pradhan (ae 01/11/2023)

Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality decides to charge tourism fee from trekkers to manage Machhapuchhre trail (rep 28/10/2023)

Residents of outlying settlements in Salyan walk for three days to the local government office : People of wards 6 and 7 or Kalimati Rural Municipality feel neglected by the local authorities and people’s representatives, by Biplab Maharjan (kp 20/10/2023)

Office of Simraungadh Municipality padlocked seeking salary (ht 19/10/2023)

EC removes Mayor Rinakumari Sah from office for leaving UML (kh 17/10/2023) [Once again, this shows the short-sightedness of the PPA. The mentioned paragraphs have their justification with regard to politicians who were elected to the House of Representatives or the Provincial Assemblies via the party lists. All directly elected persons, and this applies to all politicians at the local level, were elected in person directly by the people. Party affiliation plays only a subordinate role. But the patriarchy can rejoice that one of the very few directly elected women mayors has been ousted.]

Municipal services in Phidim stalled due to employees’ protest : They want an integrated civil service act to address their demands related to pay and perks, by Laxmi Gautam (kp 12/10/2023), Local level employees withdraw protest following 19-point deal with govt (rep 15/10/2023)

Curfew and prohibitory order lifted in Nepalgunj (rn 10/10/2023), Nepalgunj sans curfew after week (kh 10/10/2023)

Employees’ protest halts municipal works (rep 10/10/2023)

KMC prioritises footpath development in city (ht 09/10/2023)

Local levels owe Rs 6.9 billion to NEA (kh 08/10/2023)

KMC is not allowed to close open air theater: CDO Basnet (rep 01/10/2023)

BMC allocates Rs 50 million for promotion of greenery (kh 29/09/2023)

Local levels in Madhes working to establish peace after Malangwa incident, by Bal Krishna Sah (ht 27/09/2023)

Agreement reached between KMC and activist “E” : Seized goods to be returned to street vendors (kh 27/09/2023), Activist Iih calls off protest after agreement with KMC : The youth activist was staging a standing protest outside the metropolis office for over a week demanding alternative arrangements for street vendors (kp 28/09/2023)

Balen to Iih: Fulfillment of your demands goes against the law (rep 27/09/2023)

Calls grow for regulating street vending amid ban and protests : It is not wrong to take action against irregularity, but it should be done with proper planning and study, says urban planner Suman Meher Shrestha (kp 26/09/2023)

Kathmandu Metropolis forms negotiation team in response to Activist Group E’s protests (kh 26/09/2023)

Malangwa to face curfew from 8 pm to 4 am (kh 25/09/2023)

Mahabharat Rural Municipality enthusing locals with modern facilities (kh 23/09/2023)

Curfew clamped in Malangwa (kh 22/09/2023)

Activists launch 77-hour long protest against Mayor Balen demanding improved management of street vendors, by Bijaya Rai (rep 19/09/2023), Is KMC Mayor Shah turning out a polarising figure, by Bal Krishna Sah (ht 19/09/2023)

Local bodies: The spine of federal democracy, by Sabina Jha (ae 18/09/2023)

Drive to clear cables resumes with focus on Indra Jatra chariot route : Disposal of the truckloads of collected cables has emerged as a new headache for the civic body, by Anup Ojha (kp 17/09/2023)

Balen listed among 2023’s top 100 emerging global leaders (kh 14/09/2023)

Local government launches subsidy scheme to boost millet output : One rural municipality in Makwanpur has enforced a new rule to prepare millet dishes every Thursday to feed the school children under the mid-day meal programme, by Pratap Bista (kp 14/09/2023)

Saving local bodies : It is troubling that many local units are struggling even to bring their budget on time (kp 11/09/2023)

Budget delays at the local level: Reasons and repercussions : Kanchanrup in Saptari has money in its treasury but no authorisation to spend even for dengue control, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 10/09/2023)

Prohibitory order imposed in Malangwa as tensions surge following clash during Krishna Janmashtami idol immersion (rep 09/09/2023), Curfew lifted in Malangwa, prohibitory orders in effect until September 13 (rep 10/09/2023)

Local units are at forefront of forest encroachment : All 88 local units in the Sudurpaschim Province have encroached on forestlands to build offices, schools and other infrastructures, forest officials say, by DR Pant (kp 08/09/2023)

Local level funds to be counted as bank deposits from Sunday (rep 08/09/2023)

51 local levels yet to endorse fiscal budget (ht 07/09/2023)

Residential homes handed over to 80 poor households (kh 05/09/2023)

Illegal structures removed in Beni (kh 05/09/2023)

KMC asked not to dismantle monastery at Devinagar (kh 04/09/2023)

Mayor Balen threatens to incite blaze at Singha Durbar following traffic stop incident (kh 03/09/2023) [??? Such behaviour is not befitting a mayor of the capital!], Mayor threatens to set Singha Durbar ablaze : Mayor Balendra Shah's wife mistreated by traffic police, claims Balen's secretariat, by Bal Krishna Sah (ht 04/09/2023), Mayor Balen deletes controversial Facebook status (rep 04/09/2023), Drunk with power : Kathmandu Mayor’s wayward acts have diluted the hopes of alternative politics from young leaders (kp 04/09/2023), Calm Down, Mayor Saap, Calm Down!, by Akhilesh Tripathi (rep 04/09/2023), Use of govt vehicles is restricted on public holidays: DAO Kathmandu (kh 04/09/2023), Mayor Balen: Lead by Example, Not Threats and Violence (rep 05/09/2023), Law being introduced to tame ‘Balens’, by Bhuwan Sharma (rep 05/09/2023)

The outcasts : Nepalis at the grassroots for whom grassroots democracy has not delivered, by Chandra Kishore (nt 01/09/2023)

Kathmandu DAO remains open on public holidays, but service seekers remain sparse (kh 01/09/2023)

Four local levels in Sarlahi district fail to bring budget for current FY 2023/24 (rep 31/08/2023)

Prohibitory order in Dharan over fears of communal violence : Political parties call for social harmony after a group announces rally against the social media campaign for ‘cow slaughter right’, by Pradeep Menyangbo (kp 26/08/2023), A huge crowd marches from Itahari to Dharan for peace rally (rep 26/08/2023) [One-sided Hindu fundamentalist demands without respect and understanding for the much more unfortunate situation of followers of other Nepali cultures!], Dharan peaceful amid fear of ethnic, religious violence : Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba and National Human Rights Commission appeal for communal harmony, by Pradeep Menyangbo (kp 27/08/2023)

Prohibitory order to be enforced in Dharan from midnight today (rep 25/08/2023)

Patan High Court dismisses Mayor Shah's writ against CAAN (ht 24/08/2023)

Provide 10 percent of total beds free of cost to poor or else face action: KMC tells hospitals (rep 23/08/2023) [The idea sounds good, but good health service is expensive. The financing must then be arranged in another way!]

KMC to provide mid-day meals to students up to Grade 10 (rep 20/08/2023)

Khotang local unit offers free education up to grade 12 : Halesi Tuwachung Municipality hopes more students, especially from poor financial backgrounds, will now continue study after passing the SEE, by Dambar Singh Rai (kp 18/08/2023)

Balen's laudable move to promote consumers rights (rep 14/08/2023), Missing market watch : Those meant to carry out market inspection lack the right equipment and the required expertise (kp 15/08/2023)

Kathmandu metropolis’ drive to remove slabs from a border brook hits snag : After Samakhusi, the Kathmandu municipal police reached Tokha, where they were confronted by local residents and people’s representatives, who say the demolition drive would cause more trouble, by Anup Ojha (kp 11/08/2023), Budhanilkantha officials say KMC showing ‘big brother attitude’ : After Thursday’s altercation and Friday’s agreement, KMC removed pipes from the brook but Budhanilkantha Municipality officials say it did so in haste, by Anup Ojjha (kp 13/08/2023)

Resources for child-friendly local governance (ht 06/08/2023)

Minister Rijal asks local levels to remove double taxation (kh 06/08/2023) [This is probably also related to the fact that fiscal responsibilities in the federal state are still not clearly regulated by law.]

KMC exempts service seekers from parking fee : Shopping malls, eateries and hospitals among service providers not allowed to charge customers for parking, by Anup Ojha (kp 03/07/2023)

Mayor's Ultimatum Belief: Defiant or Questionable Approach to Governance?, by Khusbu Oli (rep 02/08/2023)

RPP cadres park cars in front of party office to block KMC dozer (rep 31/07/2023), RPP agrees to vacate Dhumbarahi-based central office in three weeks (kh 01/08/2023)

KMC intensifies monitoring to enforce plastic bag ban (kh 29/07/2023)

Internal disputes spur budget crisis in local governments, by Pratik Ghimire (ae 28/07/2023)

KMC offers tax discounts and exemptions in FY 2023/24 (rep 27/07/2023)

KMC obstructs religious rituals performed in public places (rep 25/07/2023)

Ichchyakamana Chair provides free health insurance for poor (kh 22/07/2023)

154 local bodies neglect to provide budget endorsement details (kh 17/07/2023)

Ratnanagar operates ‘Disadvantaged Treatment Fund’ (kh 17/07/2023)

Kankai Municipality bans sale, consumption of tobacco products (kh 16/07/2023)

Bulldozing not the solution : The government must bring policies to address the needs of the citizens without homes, by Nirajan Thapaliya (kp 14/07/2023)

Many local units in Madhesh are mired in disputes among elected officials : The discords have paralysed daily administrative work and development activities, by Shiva Puri and Ajit Tiwari (kp 13/07/2023)

Parties agree on zero tolerance against heinous crimes, illicit activities in Bhaktapur (kh 12/07/2023)

Border disputes among local units in Karnali districts remain unresolved : Residents living near the disputed areas do not have good relations and medicinal herbs worth millions are unused, by Raj Bahadur Shahi (kp 09/07/2023)

KMC instructs educational institutions to determine scholarship quota in Grade XI, set at least a 15-day application deadline (rep 07/07/2023)

KMC bans unauthorized leasing of govt land within metropolis (rep 07/07/2023), Balen’s timely decision to protect public properties (rep 08/07/2023)

Local governments demand to release 50 percent of equalization funds (rep 06/07/2023)

60,988 houses registered under Metric Addressing System in Lalitpur (rep 05/07/2023)

KMC bans vehicles in Hanumandhoka premises (kh 04/07/2023)

Kathmandu mayor announces plan to select students for scholarships in Grade XI : HISSAN accuses him of not consulting stakeholders before making the decision, by Anup Ojha (kp 04/07/2023)

KMC Mayor Shah elected to World Association of Major Metropolises Board of Directors (rep 02/07/2023)

KMC gives seven-day ultimatum to remove temporary structures inside Lalita Niwas (kh 02/07/2023), KMC bans construction on Lalita Niwas land, to halt ongoing works : The Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police makes three new arrests in connection with the land scam, by Anup Ojha (kp 03/07/2023)

KMC takes down concrete structures at Khulla Manch (rep 01/07/2023)

KMC Mayor Balen instructs private schools to ensure equal salaries for teachers, aligning with community schools (kh 29/06/2023)

Assessing local government budget : Local governments have prioritised education, health, agriculture, livestock and roads, by Khim Lal Devkota (kp 28/06/2023), Local Budgets Focus On Employment, by Mukti Rijal (rn 29/06/2023)

KMC receives kudos for its innovative plans. But will they get implemented? Former deputy mayor Hari Prabha Khadgi says the Kathmandu Metropolitan City needs to focus on the implementation of the programmes it has announced, by Anup Ojha (kp 28/06/2023)

KMC introduces new tax rates for industries through Finance Bill 2080 (rep 27/06/2023)

KMC instructs private schools to submit details of fees charged at +2 level (rep 27/06/2023)

Kathmandu metropolis implements free parking policy for commercial buildings and hospitals (rep 26/06/2023)

The rules of Mayor Shah, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae 26/06/2023)

Do mayors have free rein? Experts say constitutional spirit is for local unit chiefs to behave themselves, rather than others disciplining them, by Anup Ojha (kp 25/06/2023), Contempt of court case filed at SC against KMC Mayor Balen (rep 25/06/2023), Balen's Bold Moves: Stunts Or Genuine?, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn 25/06/2023)

10 local govts make FY 2023/24 budget public (kh 24/06/2023), Local levels unveiling budget today (kh 25/06/2023), KMC unveils Rs 25 billion budget for FY 2023/24 (kh 25/06/2023), Butwal Sub-Metropolis brings budget of Rs 2.36 billion (kh 25/06/2023)

Govt and court subservient to India; won’t allow Indian films to be screened in Kathmandu: Balen Shah (kh 22/06/2023) [Contempt of court? Presumably this young mayor believes he is above the law!], Balendra Shah raps court over order on Hindi film screening : Experts say Kathmandu mayor’s posture could be held in contempt of court and even cost him his public position, by Ghanashyam Khadka (kp 23/06/2023), Kathmandu cinemas resume Hindi film screening (kp 23/06/2023), Mister mayor, your stunts are dangerous to Nepali society! Is it not your responsibility to set an example by respecting and following constitutional decisions? Is it not your responsibility to safeguard the rule of law?, by Ashim Neupane (nlt 23/06/2023)

Kantipur-HISSAN education fair gets go-ahead from court : Allowing the resumption of the fair, the Patan High Court also ordered the Kathmandu Metropolitan City to return all confiscated materials (kp 21/06/2023)

Pathos of vulnerable narcissism : Borders between political entities with a shared civilisational heritage are transitional, by CK Lal (kp 21/06/2023)

KMC urges IRD to return house rent taxes to the local level (kh 20/06/2023)

Kathmandu metropolis clears nearly 100 tonnes of cable clutter from utility poles : With the KMC unclear about what to do with the mess, the Teku space is filling up, by Anup Ojha (kp 17/06/2023)

Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah urges government to stop screening of Hindi movies unless controversial dialogue omitted : The screening of the movie without removal of the dialogue will cause irreparable damage to Nepal’s nationality and cultural unity, says Shah (kp 17/06/2023), Kathmandu mayor announces ban on Indian film screenings in the city : Mayor Shah says no Indian films will be screened in the city until the ‘objectionable’ line is removed from ‘Adipurush’, by Samuel Chhetri (kp 19/06/2023), Mayor Sampang bans screening of controversial Indian movie ‘Adipurush’ in Dharan (rep 19/06/2023)

CAAN seeks clarification from KMC Mayor Balendra Shah : City Police Chief Rajunath Pandey and Ward 9 head Ramji Bhandari have also been asked to submit written clarifications within seven days (kp 17/06/2023), Kathmandu mayor and civil aviation body fight a turf war : CAAN seeks clarification from Balendra Shah and two other municipal officials. KMC defiant, moves high court, by Anup Ojha (kp 22/06/2023)

Mayors Steal Political Limelight Globally, by Mukti Rijal (rn 15/06/2023)

Balen's Ad Hoc Decision (rep 14/06/2023)

‘Greater Nepal’ map in Mayor Shah’s office stirs debate : Law experts term the decision ‘childish’ and against the country’s constitution and national interest, by Anil Giri (kp 09/06/2023)

Decision to stop ongoing work in Fewa wetlands (rep 27/05/2023)

People’s representatives of KMC conduct sanitation program in all wards of metropolis (kh 27/05/2023)

Local govt distributes beehives to Tanahun farmers (kh 26/05/2023)

Civic Engagement Missing At Local Level, by Mukti Rijal (rn 25/05/2023)

KMC removes illegal structures and unmanaged garbage from in front of Singha Durbar (rep 23/05/2023)

KMC bulldozes police post in Jadibuti (rep 22/05/2023)

Kathmandu again comes up with drive planting 100,000 saplings : Greenery Management Project officials say the City will follow a proper study. Planners are against haphazard plantations, by Anup Ojha (kp 20/05/2023)

KMC Mayor Shah inspects community schools (rep 20/05/2023)

Birgunj city collects Rs 360 million in revenue (kh 19/05/2023)

Majority of services of KMC to be provided from Kathmandu Plaza starting May 17 (kh 17/05/2023)

KMC to provide free of cost ambulance service to its residents (rep 13/05/2023)

Why does government often fail to address the problems of urban squatters?, by Niyati Shrestha (nlt 11/05/2023)

Tukucha is a river, not a sewer, rules Patan High Court : The court also ruled that compensation must be paid while demolishing any structures above the River as they are registered in the names of individuals (rep 08/05/2023)

KMC starts removing unmanaged cables from Kathmandu streets (rn 08/05/2023), KMC starts removing tangled cables from the streets : KMC officials say although they have started the drive, it will take a long time to clear all the jumbled wires in the city area (kp 09/05/2023), Cable firms join hands with KMC to clear wire mess : Officials said in the past two days, Monday and Tuesday, the City removed six trucks of jumbled cables off utility poles in Maitighar and New Road (kp 10/05/2023)

Cabbies stage protest against KMC’s decision to bar them from parking at roadside (rep 07/05/2023)

Mayor vows to start removing tangled wires and stray cables from tomorrow : Kathmandu metropolis accuses communication ministry of serving cable operators. Shah asked not to hold a grudge, by Anup Ojha (kp 06/05/2023), Internet, cable TV wire messes in Kathmandu metropolis to be removed from tomorrow (rep 07/05/2023)

Looking into local government finances : Revenue mobilisation in metropolitan cities is satisfactory, unlike in sub-metropolitan cities, by Khim Lal Devkota (kp 03/05/2023)

Govt issues circular to local level not to cut wires haphazardly in the name of urban beauty (rep 01/05/2023)

KMC bans outdoor advertising to maintain the beauty of the city (rep 30/04/2023)

Exhibition organized to mark 100 years of Nepal-UK Treaty of Friendship : Foreign Secretary Bharat Raj Paudyal highlighted the way the 1923 Friendship Treaty provided a foundation for the evolution of Nepal-UK relationship in the past 100 years (nlt 27/04/2023)

Illegal cultivation, structures in no-man’s land being removed in Kanchanpur (kh 27/04/2023)

151 wards still not able to provide online service for civil registration (ht 26/04/2023)

KMC gives 15-day ultimatum to remove unsystematic cables (kh 25/04/2023)

City may resume garbage removal from Singha Durbar : Kathmandu Metropolitan City officials say they are waiting for the Supreme Court’s Friday order to arrive (kp 24/04/2023), Not only metropolis, federal government should also abide by SC’s order: Mayor Shah (ae 24/04/2023)

KMC bans cooking of sekuwa on the streets (rep 22/04/2023)

'Fake land squatters tried to take the law into their hands' (rep 22/04/2023)

Local level in Tanahun launches issuance of labour permit (nlt 20/04/2023)

Dozens injured as police, locals clash in Siraha (ae 20/04/2023)

Nearby houses start cracking as tall building is erected among dense settlement in Bagbazar (rep 19/04/2023)

KMC imposes seven mandatory conditions while building infrastructure in KMC area (rep 19/04/2023)

Cash-strapped local units look helplessly as fire season arrives : A majority of local units in Rautahat are not equipped to deal with fire incidents since most of them do not have fire brigades or fire trucks, by Shiva Puri (kp 14/04/2023)

Tussle between Kathmandu mayor and Singha Durbar turns filthy : Balendra Shah, who often vents his ire on social media, uses garbage as a tool this time, by Anup Ojha (kp 12/04/2023), Shah v Singha Durbar : The perception of a malfunctioning federal setup does not help any of the three tiers of government (kp 13/04/2023), Either work in the interest of Kathmandu or move Singha Durbar elsewhere: Mayor Balen (kh 13/04/2023), Petition  filed at SC against KMC’s decision not to collect garbage from Singha Durbar (rep 18/04/2023), Supreme Court orders Kathmandu Metropolitan City resume garbage from Singha Durbar  (kh 21/04/2023), SC orders Kathmandu Metro to collect Singha Durbar’s garbage within 3 days (kh 21/04/2023)

Schools selling books and uniforms will be booked: KMC Mayor Shah (rep 09/04/2023)

KMC Mayor Shah warns of using force to remove police outposts built on roadside (rep 08/04/2023)

In Photos: Land squatters stage sit-in against KMC, by Aesha Bajracharya and Samiksha Shrestha (rep 07/04/2023)

The role of deputies : It is necessary to analyse the executive powers of the federal units provided by the constitution, by Khim Lal Devkota (kp 05/04/2023)

Patan High Court orders KMC to stall demolition drive : On March 25, KMC had issued a notice ordering that structures built illegally by encroaching on public land be removed within a week (kp 31/03/2023)

Why is KMC moving its office paying over six million rupees in rent a month?, by Upendra Lamichhane (rep 28/03/2023)

Agitating squatters stage demonstrations against KMC Mayor Shah (rep 27/03/2023), Hundreds of landless squatters protest against Mayor Shah (ht 28/03/2023)

Devchuli municipality constructing houses for disadvantaged families (kh 28/03/2023)

KMC gives 7-day ultimatum to remove illegally-built structures (kh 25/03/2023)

Whose jurisdiction is Nepal’s federal capital city? The seat of the government should ideally be under the purview of the federal government. But there was no original agreement or imagination to do so in Nepal, by Yatindra KC (nlt 24/03/2023)

KMC shifting to Kathmandu Plaza (kh 23/03/2023)

Valley’s deputy mayors form network for coordination : Urban planners fear the new platform might end like Valley mayors’ forum that failed to do anything significant (kp 16/03/2023)

Residents deprived of timely services for lack of ward secretaries : The absence of ward secretaries and registration officers has deprived service seekers of timely and effective services, by Mahesh KC (kp 12/03/2023)

KMC offering free legal advice to general people from 32 wards from March 15 (rep 08/03/2023), KMC signs law students for free legal help at wards : The drive is welcomed as a step towards localising the justice delivery system, by Anup Ojha (kp 09/03/2023)

KMC serves a 24-hour ultimatum to remove unauthorized structures in Pashupati area (rep 03/03/2023)

Janakpurdham gradually adopting technology to promote good governance (rep 02/03/2023)

How to support Nepal’s local democracy?, by Kushal Pokharel (ae 28/02/2023)

Shah’s ‘pressure to quit’ post sparks debate : Ward officials, City spokesperson find mayor’s statement surprising. Some say Balendra Shah is simply frustrated, by Anup Ojha (kp 27/02/2023)

ocal government rule requiring its permission to marry draws flak : Kapurkot defends new rule enforced to tackle underage marriages and teen pregnancies, by Biplab Maharjan (kp 24/02/2023) [related to Karnali province]

Lack of regulations holds back sub-national governments to raise internal loans (ae 24/02/2023)

Bharatpur metropolis ahead in terms of performance (rn 17/02/2023)

KMC people’s representatives add facilities contrary to federal, provincial laws (kh 16/02/2023)

Federal government seeks grants distribution details from local level (kh 08/02/2023)

MoFAGA issues circular to all district and local levels to reduce current expenditure by 20 percent (rep 04/02/2023)

Don’t Get Distracted, Mayor Balen! (rep 03/02/2023)

Demonstration against KMC Mayor Balendra Shah at Maitighar (kh 30/01/2023)

Unheard plights of street vendors in Kathmandu : Despite their irrefutable contributions to the economy, street vendors are often overlooked and undervalued by policymakers, law enforcement agencies and the general public, by Anjila Shrestha (nlt 25/01/2023)

Demonstration to be held against Mayor Balen Shah on January 29 (kh 24/01/2023)

Tulsipur Sub-Metropolis to collect tax from houses built on unregistered lands (kh 24/01/2023)

Open Advice to Mayor Balen, by Raju Prasad Chapagai and Nirajan Thapaliya (rep 22/01/2023)

Kathmandu Metropolitan City slammed for lacking clarity on digital billboards : Last September, the City launched a crackdown on such billboards, but they have returned as a case is sub judice, by Anup Ojha (kp 21/01/2023)

Only 6% capital budget spent in Tanahun in six months, by Amar Raj Naharki (rn 15/01/2023)

Restoration of Valley’s damaged roads soon: DPM Shrestha (rn 13/01/2023) [Wouldn't this be the job of the municipality instead of driving out the poorest of the poor?]

KMC projects its income for next three fiscal years (rep 12/01/2023)

Ward chair accused of committing racial discrimination (kh 11/01/2023)

KMC bans selling goods in bicycles and carts in Kathmandu (kp 11/01/2023) [Another ill-conceived blow to the poorest sections of society! Should Balen Shah, at his young age, still lack political and social foresight?], Street vending ban a kick in the belly of urban poor : Urban planners accuse municipal officials of not keeping the poor people in mind while formulating policies, by Anup Ojha (kp 13/01/2023)

Plans for cleaner, greener Pokhara, by Smita Adhikari (ae 11/01/2023)

Rule requiring interest groups to seek approval to enter schools welcomed : The Kathmandu Metropolis introduced the rule amid complaints by many schools of unwanted interference, by Anup Ojha (kp 10/01/2023)

NEST to organize mass protest on January 9 against KMC’s harassment to street vendors (rep 07/01/2023), NEST organizes marches across Nepal to protest against ‘KMC’s highhandedness’ (rep 09/01/2023)

Local levels told to conduct self-assessment by January 21 (ht 06/01/2023)

'Local levels have failed to protect arable land' (ht 06/01/2023)

Why is it difficult to meet Mayor Balendra Shah? Various groups and stakeholders—heritage activists to street vendors—have tried to meet him, but to no avail, by Anup Ojha (kp 06/01/2023) [Some good approaches, but partly also contradictory and ill-considered procedures, combined with a certain degree of arrogance and authoritarianism!]

Kathmandu DAO enforces 'time card' for service delivery (rep 06/01/2023)

National Land Commission seeks cooperation to solve the issues of landless squatters (rep 05/01/2023), Rehabilitating squatter settlements : Begin with affordable housing solutions, by Anuska Singh (ht 05/01/2023)

Campaign launched to search public land alongside rivers (kh 05/01/2023)

Firewood distributed to keep people protected from cold spell (kh 04/10/2023)

KVDA’s service delivery affected due to lack of workforce (kh 04/01/02023)

Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah goes to SC against EC fine (kh 03/01/2023)

Locals stage protest demanding withdrawal of KMC’s plan to build underground parking in Tundikhel (rep 02/01/2023)

Open Tundikhel Campaign demands suspension of multi-storey structure construction in Khulamanch (kh 02/01/2023)

Improve the wards : The life of citizens living in villages is more difficult than the life of those in municipalities., by Khim Lal Devkota (kp 28/12/2022)

Kathmandu metropolis: A chequered history. Mayor Balendra Shah’s mismanagement of Kathmandu Metropolitan City is in keeping with the lack of vision of the body’s past heads, observers say, by Anup Ojha (kp 25/12/2022)

After demolition of illegal structures in Narayanghat area, Hakim Chowk is next (rep 25/12/2022)

KVDA to construct parks at different locations (rn 25/12/2022)

High Court halts Dharan Mayor Sampang’s soap factory construction plan, by Rohit Rai (rep 23/12/2022)

KMC bulldozes houses, structures around Dhobi Khola banks (ht 22/12/2022)

KMC launches a fresh drive to remove ‘unauthorized’ hoarding boards for a better Kathmandu, by Sara Pahari (rep 21/12/2022)

Public outrage as KMC impounds vehicles parked on private land in Anamnagar area (rep 18/12/2022)

KMC launches App to provide services digitally (rep 17/12/2022)

National Dalit Commission recommends action against Mayor Sampang over a social media post (rep 17/12/2022)

Eight local levels yet to present budget for running fiscal (ht 16/12/2022)

KMC Mayor Shah expresses concern over works intended to wipe out Sundhara tap (kh 12/12/2022)

Mayor Shah’s innovative plan of infrastructure ambulances winning hearts of Kathmanduites, by Sara Pahari (rep 08/12/2022)

Shah’s shoot-from-the-hip approach missing its mark : Of late, the KMC has had to backtrack on several of its key measures, most recently on Thapathali squatter settlement, by Anup Ojha (kp 06/12/2022)

Row in Duduwa Rural Municipality deprives staff of pay of 4 months (rn 06/12/2022)

Only 115 local level units institute GBV Elimination Fund (kh 03/12/2022)

We have no desire to seek help from foreigners: Kathmandu Mayor Balen (kh 03/12/2022)

Shopkeepers of Bagbazar protest against parking ban imposed by KMC (rep 01/12/2022)

KVDA gives 35 days to remove illegally-built structures (kh 30/11/2022)

Dharan Sub-metropolis buys dozers and rollers to repair and build roads itself, by Rohit Rai (rep 30/11/2022)

Bharatpur Metropolis to remove illegal structures (rep 30/11/2022)

Squatters clash with police in Thapathali (kh 28/11/2022), Thapathali squatters attack City Police; 21 injured, by Manish Aryal (nlt 28/11/2022), Thapathali squatters thwart another eviction : Kathmandu Metropolitan City met with stiff resistance as it tried to tear down Bagmati riverside squatter huts, by Anup Ojha and Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 29/11/2022) [Responsible policy looks different!], Landless squatters protest outside KMC office (rep 29/11/2022), KMC accused of demolishing landless squatters' settlement without making alternative arrangement (rep 29/11/2022), Solve Problem Of Landless Squatters, by Uttam Maharjan (rn 29/11/2022), Balen hits back at Oli, says ‘landless squatters have only become your vote bank’ (rep 30/11/2022) [The reference to KP Oli is correct. He has always liked to establish himself as a talker who never really means what he says. He was PM long enough to solve the problem fundamentally. But he hasn't. But this does not change the fact that the eviction of the slums must go hand in hand with an alternative solution for the people affected. In contrast to the numerous other building sins in KTM, these people have nothing but their poor dwellings!], KMC to discuss squatter problem with government agencies and stakeholders : Municipal police has charged 18 people from Thapathali squatter settlement with assault after staff injuries Monday, by Anup Ojha (kp 02/12/2022), Land commission urges local govts not to intervene in landless squatter settlements (rep 02/12/2022), Devise Resettlement Plan For Squatters, by Ballav Dahal (rn 05/12/2022), Squatters in Kathmandu call for alternative settlement (kh 06/12/2022)

Activists memo ward office against Khula Manch parking plan : Ward-28 chairman receiving the memorandum on Sunday said his office will oppose the Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s plan, by Anup Ojha (kp 28/11/2022)

New provisions implemented to make local levels competitive (ht 27/11/2022)

Biratnagar metropolis campaigns against pavement encroachment (kh 26/11/2022)

"There is no arable land in Kathmandu" (rep 25/11/2022)

Conservationists decry underground parking plans at Khula Manch : Fear is that the ‘hasty and unilateral’ decision, if put into action, could damage local soil ecology and the aquifer, by Anup Ojha (kp 19/11/2022)

KMC to introduce a law requiring tenants to sign into a mandatory contract with their landlords (rep 19/11/2022)

KMC removes unauthorized boards placed in offices and shops (rep 14/11/2022)

Lack of bus park at city centre stresses commuters : People who need to travel to the outskirts of Kathmandu are troubled in the absence of a proper transport management system in the Capital, by Anup Ojha (kp 31/10/2022)

KMC’s decision to lock up Rani Pokhari during Chhath disappoints worshippers : Organising committee blames the city for not providing space to celebrate the festival this year even though the reconstruction of the pond is over, by Anup Ojha (kp) [This reflects the delusion of superiority and intolerance of the Tagadhari minority of the hill region towards the Tarai Hindus!]

Ditch the hammer, Balen : The goal is to balance the interests of those involved in these informal trade with pedestrian comfort (kp 25/10/2022)

Madhyabindu municipality sets up breastfeeding room (kh 15/10/2022)

KMC starts removing illegal structures constructed at Bagmati River banks (kh 14/10/2022), Squatters protest in Kathmandu against ultimatum to vacate their settlement : As many as 34,096 families are residing on the banks of Bagmati currently, according to government data (kp 18/11/2022)

KMC continues dismantling illegally built structures (kh 01/10/2022), KMC demolishes Twa:Che in Bangemuda (rep 01/10/2022)

KMC, authorities start market inspection to check irregularities : Deputy mayor asks people to notify KMC if anyone is found black-marketing in essentials, by Anup Ojha (kp 30/09/2022)

KMC committed to ensuring pedestrians’ rights on footpath: Mayor (kh 29/09/2022), KMC prohibits all kinds of activities on footpaths except for walking (rep 29/09/2022), KMC will continue its programs according to its policies: Mayor Balen (rep 29/09/2022)

Pokhara Metropolis clears basement of its own building for underground parking, by Dhan Basnet (rep 29/09/2022)

Shankharapur to provide free health and education services (kh 29/09/2022)

Lax implementation of ban on consumption of tobacco products at public places (rep 28/09/2022)

Carefully now, Mr Mayor : Elected leaders must abide by democratic norms. Popularity is no ticket to waywardness (kp 26/09/2022) [This is exactly what is constantly disregarded, from the president to the government and parties down to the local level!]

Shambhunath municipality to build 24 houses for poor and underprivileged (kh 24/09/2022)

KMC removes illegal structures built in Anamnagar area (rep 23/09/2022)

KMC removing pharmacies in front of Bir Hospital (rep 22/09/2022)

Lalitpur Metropolis instructs removal of illegally-built structures within 35 days (kh 21/09/2022)

Street Vendors Left Out In The Cold?, by Parmeshwar Devkota (rn 18/09/2022)

KMC reintroduces ban on smoking in public places : Kathmandu Metropolitan City officials claim the ban will be enforced effectively this time despite repeated failures in the past, by Anup Ojha (kp 16/09/2022)

KMC finds Tukucha River after excavating Jai Nepal Hall (rep 16/09/2022), Tukucha Khola flows beneath Jai Nepal hall : All structures built above the rivulet to be razed 'following legal process' (ht 16/09/2022)

KMC dozer rolls on illegal structures in New Baneshwar (rep 16/09/2022)

KMC bulldozes illegal structures in Thapagaon (kh 16/09/2022)

Kathmandu Mayor Balen publicizes 100-day work progress report (rep 04/09/2022)

Engaging Youth In Local Governance process, by Keshab Poudel (sp 19/08/2022)

Local laws ease governance (kh 17/08/2022)

63 local governments yet to enter budget details in Ministry portal (kh 12/08/2022), 39 local levels in Madhes yet to submit budget details (kh 13/08/2022)

More than 40 percent local election candidates yet to submit spending details : There were a total of 145,011 candidates. Poll law requires them to furnish the details within 30 days of election. The Election Commission mulls action, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 13/08/2022)

Local Governance In Federal System, by Mukti Rijal (rn 11/08/2022)

Municipality spends more than 10 million rupees for vehicle maintenance and fuel (kh 31/07/2022)

Mayor’s conference in Pokhara from today (kh 29/07/2022), Mayors’ Conference ends with 6-pt declaration (rep 31/07/2022)

Fiscal Discipline At Local Level, by Mukti Rijal (rn 28/07/2022)

Kathmandu District Court encroaches pavement with impunity while street vendors are fined : For past two years, a section of pavement at Babarmahal has been encroached upon by a bus and a truck impounded by the court, by Anup Ojha (kp 23/07/2022)

Formulating Effective Local Plans, by Laxmi Bilas Koirala (kp 23/07/2022)

Formulating Local Youth Policy, by Rajendra Senchurey (rn 22/07/2022)

207 local levels fail to unveil budget within deadline (nlt 20/07/2022)

Coordination essential on managing city infrastructures: Mayor Shah (kh 19/07/2022)

KMC purchases three fire engines (kh 19/07/2022)

Local representatives draw flak for prioritising personal benefits over City’s public needs : During Tuesday’s municipal meeting some representatives demanded gold badges, uniform, and tea-making staff, by Anup Ojha (kp 09/07/2022)

“KMC has no policy to allow running shops or businesses on footpath” (kh 07/07/2022)

Consolidating Local Government, by Udbodh Bhandari (rn 05/07/2022)

Begging prohibited in public places of Kathmandu metropolis (kh 01/07/2022), Kathmandu bids again to make city free of beggars : Similar ideas have been ineffective earlier. City official says homeless will be taken to shelters. New shelter for 1,000 homeless being built at Nagarjun, by Anup Ojha (kp 02/07/2022)

753 local levels unveiling budget today (kp 24/06/2022), Will local levels’ fiscal budget fulfill people’s aspirations? (kh 25/06/2022)

Balen’s Challenge: Managing Urban Floods Overcoming Institutional Anarchy : Kathmandu’s newly elected independent mayor Balen Shah, in addition to the myriad other challenges he has to cope with, has to handle precisely such a wicked problem that is urban flooding, by Dipak Gyawali (sp 24/06/2022)

Independent Mayors Must Keep Their Word, by Dhananjay Shah and Dilip Thakur (kp 24/06/2022)

KMC to impose a fine of Rs 500 on those not segregating degradable and non-degradable garbage (kh 23/06/2022)

Bandipur campaigns for preservation of traditional houses (kh 23/06/2022)

“No province or municipality has shown any expenditure on drinking water for the last five years” (rep 21/06/2022)

The social construction of Balen Shah, by Pragyan Thapa Ghimire (rec 20/06/2022)

Kathmandu unveils plans on digitisation, revival of old spaces and improving schools : Policies and programmes for next fiscal also include retrofitting Bagdurbar and rebuilding Kamal Pokhari, by Anup Ojha (kp 20/06/2022), Kathmandu Metropolitan City prioritizes education and health sectors (rep 20/06/2022)

Holidays at whim: That’s the way for local governments : Local units often come up with own ways of declaring holidays, at times with reasons that defy logic, by Sanju Paudel (kp 20/06/2022)

Gorkha locals want Swarnim Waglé to contest the parliamentary elections from the district : Despite his formal affiliation with Nepali Congress, people from all walks of life regardless of the ideology, have been expecting Dr Swarnim Waglé to contest the upcoming parliamentary elections from Gorkha (nlt 21/06/2022)

Services halted in Budhiganga amid reelection delay : Budhiganga Municipality is without people’s representatives, which has hampered several administrative and development activities in the local body, by Arjun Shah (kp 17/06/2022) [This is also a consequence of the imbecilic rule that incumbent politicians have to resign if they want to run again in elections!]

Broomer machines back on Kathmandu streets : Six of its nine broomer machines deployed from Wednesday. Mayor says National Innovation Centre will handle repairs, by Anup Ojha (kp 17/06/2022)

Early report card of Mayor Balen Shah : Though waste disposal is the collective responsibility of all valley metros only the Kathmandu Mayor was faulted. How should he conduct himself in the days to come?, by Nishan Khatiwada (nlt 13/06/2022)

KMC to operate 10 smart toilets at the earliest (kh 12/06/2022)

Amid delays in budget presentation, government plans to train local representatives : Most local governments in the past five years failed to bring their annual budgets within the set deadline, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 10/06/2022)

Kathmandu metropolis’ call center receiving 300 complaints daily (kh 10/06/2022), Garbage top problem among callers to city office : Kathmandu’s ‘call centre’ has received over 1,200 calls but City yet to develop mechanism to address public grievances, by Anup Ojha (kp 12/06/2022)

How Kathmandu’s new leaders can do right by the city : As the new leader of a city beset by problems, mayor Balen Shah will need to focus on small but sustainable solutions, advise experts, by Sanjit M Rajbhandari (rec 06/06/2022)

‘We are here to serve the people regardless of our political beliefs’ : Sunita Dangol, newly elected deputy mayor of Kathmandu, talks about challenges to active participation of women in politics, introduction of e-governance to control corruption and her willingness to work in coordination with the mayor (interview) (kp 04/06/2022)

Local Governance Agenda, by Mukti Rijal (rn 02/06/2022)

KMC Mayor Balen’s first decision: To live stream Municipal Council meeting (kh 30/05/2022)

Newly re-elected mayor Dahal announces free drinking water for Bharatpur folks (kh 25/05/2022)

Farmers high and dry as local units fail to help : Local governments only care about construction of roads and bridges, neglecting agriculture, voters say, by Binod Ghimire (kp 09/05/2022)

Going local : Candidates seem to be in the dark about the powers and functions of local bodies (kp 05/05/2022)

Local Governments : Responsibilities and Requirements, by Rajendra Prasad Koirala (rep 05/05/2022)

School question papers prepared by local governments are full of errors : Experts hold the federal government equally responsible, by Binod Ghimire (kp 01/05/2022)

Chandrapur adopts door-to-door campaign to make Dalit children attend school : The Education Unit of Chandrapur Municipality says that every possible step would be taken to help parents send their wards to school, by Shiva Puri (kp 30/04/2022)

Local Bodies Need Capacity Building, by Udbodh Bhandari (rn 29/04/2022) [The centrally imposed party alliances aim at exactly the opposite!]

Arguing for depoliticization of local level elections, by Sarita Giri (kh 28/04/2022)

Mugu villagers prepare to go to highlands for yarsa collection : Almost all the local units in Mugu, including Mugumkarmarong Rural Municipality, had imposed a ban on yarsagumba collection in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, by Raj Bahadur Shahi (kp 28/04/2022)

Not all local levels are below par, by Bindu Kant Ghimire (kh 26/04/2022)

Health care issues despite being vital remain neglected in local elections : Candidates and parties must come up with practical and realistic health care plans, say doctors, by Arjun Poudel (kp 26/04/2022)

Putting Hometown First : The local leadership should be selected based on whether the elected leaders can develop their village or town and how patriotic they are, by Bhupa P Dhamala (rn 22/04/2022)

Dalit women were elected in numbers. But have they been empowered? Despite holding posts, experience as decision makers was not encouraging as discrimination continued, they say, by Tika R Pradhan and Binod Ghimire (kp 16/04/2022)

Getting to know the two young independents running for Kathmandu mayor, by Prasansha Rimal (rec 11/04/2022)

Bharatpur metropolis in political spotlight; yet people’s expectations different (kh 11/04/2022)

Five years of local governance: What went wrong? Several instances show that the local governments have grossly failed to abide by the constitutional spirit. Corruption is what they have excelled at, by Jivesh Jha (nlt 08/04/2022)

Chitwan NC delegation to draw leadership’s attention towards Bharatpur mayor’s post (kh 05/04/2022)

Empowering citizens to lead at local levels : Are the ways federalism is playing out on the ground more of the same old way of doing politics in Kathmandu or has something truly changed for the better?, by Simone Galimberti (nlt 27/03/2022)

55 local govts defy federal govt directives (rep 26/03/2022)

Irregularities, ill practices rampant in Rautahat local levels (ht 26/03/2022)

Local level functioning : Glass half full, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae 24/03/2022)

PM Deuba underscores transparent local government (kh 24/03/2022)

Women Prove Leadership Mettle, by Mukti Rijal (kp 24/03/2022)

The Locomotives Of Local Self-Governance, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn 19/03/2022)

Local government by the people, for the people, of the people : Local elections in May give Nepalis a chance to vote in capable leaders based on performance, by Ramesh Kumar (nt 18/03/2022)

Local Leaders Must Embrace Ethics, by Namrata Sharma (rn 16/03/2022)

KMC, DoA At Loggerheads Over Structures At World Heritage Site, by Aashish Mishra (rn 15/03/2022), City draws flak for erecting plinths at Basantapur : Heritage activists on Tuesday evening cut off flag poles. Kathmandu deputy mayor blames mayor for construction without consultation, by Anup Ojha (kp 16/03/2022), Never a dull moment : The mayor never fails to disappoint those eager to see him take one silly step after another (kp 17/03/2022)

Women serving as deputies at local units aspire to take up executive roles : As local elections near, women representatives, however, doubt the male-dominated parties where patriarchy is deep-rooted will make way for them, by Binod Ghimire (kp 13/03/2022)

Duties decentralized, resources centralized : Five years since their election, local governments are still grappling with legal, budgetary and human resource constraints, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae 10/03/2022)

Bharatpur Metropolis advances steps for high-tech administrative building (kh 07/03/2022)

Lalitpur bans smoking in three areas : Patan Durbar Square, Pulchowk and Jawalakhel have been declared smoking-free zones, by Anup Ojha (kp 05/03/2022)

Bharatpur metropolis provides budget to purchase school buses (kh 03/03/2022)

Baglung local unit launches housing campaign for landless families : Jaimini Municipality to give Rs300,000 to the beneficiaries under the programme, by Prakash Baral (kp 28/02/2022)

Dharan Sub-Metropolis To Raze Illegal Huts (rn 28/02/2022)

Local Governments Have Miles To Go, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn 27/02/2022)

Budgetary woes of local governments : Funds are trickling down to local bodies. Yet many of them are still unable to carry out their fiscal duties. Some are struggling to present their budget on time while others cannot manage their expenses, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae 24/02/2022)

Local government supporting disadvantaged families (kh 24/02/2022)

Successful Mayors Make It To The Top, by Mukti Rijal (rn 24/02/2022) [This should hardly be expected in a Nepal of socially non-inclusive rope-lines and male top politicians endowed with undemocratic power!]

Local Election, National Importance : Democracy seems to delight people only as long as they feel they are getting fast, fair and free services from the local bodies, by Atindra Dahal (rep 22/02/2022)

Civic poll: Political parties focus their engagement at local level (kh 21/02/2022)

Govt preparing to add 13 local units ahead of polls (nlt 17/02/2022)

Representation at the local level : Effect of political parties’ mergers and breakups are certain to be reflected in the outcome of the impending local elections, by Pratik Ghimire (ae 03/02/2022)

Not bad, not bad at all : Local governments fulfil many of the expected functions yet they continue to be undermined, by Deepak Thapa (kp 27/01/2022)

A case of clashing egos, unclear roles : There is a sizable section of chiefs who believe the post of deputies is largely ceremonial, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae 27/01/2022)

Model social inclusion policy for local levels (ht 23/01/2022)

Local level facing an acute shortage of civil servants, by Pratik Ghimire (ae 26/01/2022)

Locals protest obstruction posed by Shuklaphanta National Park in construction of ward 6 office (kh 08/01/2022)

Nepal’s politicians take up farming : Local politicians clean up their image and raise money from fruit farms to campaign for elections next year, by Unnati Chaudhary (nt 07/08/2022)

Their five-year terms are ending but most local units still don’t own office buildings : Federal officials blame lack of funds and unresolved issues at the local level, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 05/01/2022)

Local levels urged to mitigate effects of cold wave (ht 31/12/2021)

The smart city of Waling : When Mayor Dillip Pratap Khand assumed office, he set out on a mission to turn Waling into one of Nepal’s first ‘smart cities’. Five years on, he has little to show, by Prasansha Rimal (rec 30/12/2021)

Baglung decides to seek help of provincial governments to resolve border dispute with Rukum East (rep 30/12/2021)

Kavre administration decides to provide service on alternate base (kh 28/12/2021)

National Reconstruction Authority hands over Rani Pokhari to Kathmandu Metropolitan City : But the City has yet to develop guidelines for the preservation of the 17th century pond. Heritage activists fear the City may develop the pond into a commercial project, by Anup Ojha (kp 25/12/2021)

Balen Shah’s next battle : Shah’s decision to run for Kathmandu Mayor has struck a chord with Nepali youths, by Prasun Sangroula (nlt 24/12/2021)

Local governments struggling to deliver, survey finds : Most local units are reeling under shortage of technical manpower, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 21/12/2021)

Local govts told to abide by law in tax collection (ht 16/12/2021)

Many local levels yet to appoint information officer (ht 05/12/2021)

Banks want to count 75 percent of federal grant to local units as deposit to maintain regulatory threshold : Banks are allowed to count up to 50 percent of such grant as deposit, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 30/11/2021)

Staff shortage hits service delivery in Rautahat offices : Around 30 percent of posts in the government offices of the district are vacant, according to the District Administration Office, by Shiva Purti (kp 29/11/2021)

Local units in Rukum (East) expand health services in villages : Health centres have been established in a majority of wards to make health services easily accessible to all,  by Hari Gautam (kp 28/11/2021)

IT revolution gap : Local administrations have shown little or no interest in doing away with the archaic manual system (kp 25/11/2021)

Most local units fare poorly in IT-based service delivery : Report points at dire lack of IT staff and infrastructure at local units, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 23/11/2021)

Corruptions in local governments still alarming: CIAA report (rep 16/11/2021)

Local units angry after consumer groups barred from procurement : Government defends its decision citing irregularities in procurement and substandard work by such groups, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 12/11/2021)

31 local governments yet to unveil annual budget even four months after the beginning of current FY (rep 09/11/2021)

Woes in capital city: People flow in the sewers, no one takes responsibility, by Milan Dahal (kh 29/09/2021)

Service delivery affected as local units in Achham do not have office buildings : A majority of local government offices are operating from congested rented buildings, by Menuka Dhungana (kp 29/09/2021)

Limbu official language in Chulachuli rural municipality (kh 28/09/2021)

RPP, UML disagree on proposal to upgrade Damak into sub-metropolis structure (kh 22/08/2021)

Metropolitan Cities’ arrears exceeds more than 4. 63 billion in a year : Kathmandu metropolis alone has 11.86 percent as arrears (kh 22/08/2021)

New provisions for internal audit in local bodies (ht 21/08/2021)

Unchecked Fiduciary Risks At Local Level, by Mukti Rijal (rn 12/08/2021)

Kathmandu to get tough on local units defaulting on budget deadlineMore than 100 local governments have yet to present their fiscal budgets this year. Such governments may not be allowed to make new spendings until they present their budgets, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 26/07/2021)

Is climate change barging in? Local governments have to come up with innovative, long-term solutions against climate events, by Madhukar Upadhya (kp 16/07/2021)

Local level reps, employees told to submit property details (ht 16/07/2021)

Kathmandu Metropolitan City erasing mural thathonoured frontline pandemic workers invites ire : Four artists had painted it with permission from authorities. The highhandedness is another example of the City’s insensitivity to needs of citizens and its incompetence, observers say (kp 02/07/2021)

KMC announces budget of Rs 18.95 billion for next fiscal year (rep 24/06/2021)

Nepal’s local bodies again prove their worth, by Ashok Dahal (ae 24/06/2021)

Many local governments fail to conduct capacity self-evaluation within deadline (ht 13/06/2021)

Local levels zeroing in on their efforts for bringing policy and budget (kh 09/06/2021)

Local administrations given authority to impose prohibitory orders : Educational institutions cannot hold examinations and people entering Nepal have to stay in quarantine, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 26/04/2021)

Fostering Local Democracy & Governance, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn 24/04/2021)

Poorly performing local governments may see federal grant slashed : The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration has introduced a working procedure to evaluate performance of local governments, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 20/04/2021) [In a federal state, the local level must be able to draw on its own sources of finance and not be exclusively dependent on allocations from the central government!]

Remote local unit in Gorkha enhancing public access to information : Dharche Rural Municipality has employed heralds and used radio services to disseminate information in highlands, by Hariram Upreti (kp 14/04/2021)

Capital spending low  in Myagdi local units, by Ghanshyam Khadka (kp 06/04/2021)

Local governments say they don’t get enough resources : The federal government needs to hand over their constitutional responsibilities as well as staff to subnational governments, experts say, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 05/04/2021)

Health Ministry directs local units to adopt health safety measures to curb COVID-19 (kh 05/04/2021) [??]

Women representatives in Achham are excluded from decision-making roles : Most women ward members say the inclusion policy has only served as a token gesture to fulfil gender and caste representation requirements at the local level, by Menuka Dhungana (kp 05/04/2021)

Expanding Civic Space At Local Level, by Mukti Rijal (rn 01/04/2021)

Deputy Mayors Disempowered At Local Level, by Mukti Rijal (rn 25/03/2021) [And most of the are women! This is typical for Nepal's macho patriarchy!]

Over half of 9,000 staffers recruited for local governments seek transfer : Federal government suspends all local government-to-local government transfers until further notice, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 16/03/2021)

Holding up the whole sky in Jumla : The mayor of Chandanath Municpality and her deputy prove that elected women leaders are more accountable, by Monika Deupala (nt 05/03/2021)

Ensuring Accountability At Local Level, by Mukti Rijal (rn 04/03/2021)

Vacate Durbar Square shops in a week, City tells Department of Archaeology : Officials at the department say Kathmandu Mayor Shakya is on the offensive after it directed the city to follow traditional methods while rehabilitating Kamal Pokhari, by Anup Ojha (kp 03/03/2021)

153 local bodies yet to submit COVID-19 relief expenditure details to the ministry, by BP Aryal (rep 21/02/2021)

Limi residents face challenges brought by this year’s snowfall : With health posts and ward offices closed, villagers struggle to manage the basics, by Chhaoal Lama and Krishna Prasad Gautam (kp 15/02/2021)

Staffers in Dhanusha rural municipality hold sit-in demanding their pay, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 23/01/2021)

New procedure for easy data access floated (ht 18/01/2021)

Child labour free zone proposals sought from local bodies (ht 06/01/2021)

Unfilled local government vacancies affect service delivery in KarnaliAs many as 81 posts of people’s representatives are currently vacant in eight districts of Karnali Province. Dolpa district has the highest number of vacancies; By-elections have not been held to fill vacancies caused by death or resignation, by Chandani Khatayat (kp 01/01/2021)

Complaints against local governments paint bleak picture of the grassroots : Local governments are mobilising resources like never before, but they lack  experience and skills to do so, experts say, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 30/12/2020)

Performance evaluation at the local level : Errant local governments can be punished through the fiscal transfer channel like in the past, by Khim Lal Devkota (kp 21/12/2020)

Pokhara demolishes new structures constructed around Phewa Lake : In 2007, authorities had decided not to allow any concrete structures to be built within 65 metres of the lake, by Pratiksha Kafle (14/12/2020)

Local representatives could lose job if they skip meetings for long, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 14/12/2020)

Women leaders set example for rest of Nepal : Imagine if this women-led municipality in the Tarai was upscaled nationwide, by Laxmi Basnet (nt 04/12/2020)

Local levels making justice accessible, by Kokila Dhakal (kh 03/12/2020)

MoFAGA formulates procedure to enhance public accountability (ht 29/11/2020)

As Ratna Park gets new name and statues of two icons, many say ‘let history be history’ : At the centre of Kathmandu, the City has memorialised lives of Sankhadhar Sakhwa and Padma Ratna Tuladhar but the step has sparked debate about remembering history, by Srizu Bajracharya (kp 28/11/2020)

Lalitpur launches ‘green fence’ campaign to promote greenery, by Anup Ojha (kp 26/11/2020)

New procedure for self-evaluation issued (ht 26/11/2020)

37 local levels yet to submit their budget (kh 08/11/2020)

Amid dispute, Supreme Court stays implementation of grade 11 curricula : Court rules officials shouldn’t enforce curricula when local governments have authority to manage school education, by Binod Ghimire (kp 07/11/2020)

Kathmandu city orders all schools to teach Nepal Bhasha, by Binod Ghimire (kp 06/11/2020) [To put this into perspective : Newars constitute about 21% of Kathmandu's population; only 17% speak Newari as mother tongue; more than 8% speak Tamang; more than 20% have other mother tongues than Nepali and Newari! The promotion of all ethnic mother tongues would be important!]

Centre’s approval must for MoU between local levels, foreigners (ht 06/11/2020) [After all, the Federal Republic of Nepal is still a centralised state, says HM Oli! All power is vested in the PM and emanates from him!], Ministry warns local governments not to sign sister city deals without its consent : Federal Affairs Ministry says there is risk of country’s foreign policy being compromised if the practice is not checked, by Prithvi Man Shrestha 07/11/2020)

Landless people of Bardiya vent their ire at federal government : Landless people meet to prepare for an agitation against the federal government, by Yadab Acharya (ae 06/11/2020)

स्थानीय तहबाट नागरिकको अपेक्षा , by Subas Shrestha (Rajdhani 05/11/2020)

Local government in Barpak provides work for jobless targeting Dashain, by Hariram Upreti (kp 23/10/2020)

Municipalities want their jurisdiction defined clearly in new local government law : Local governments want legal teeth to allow them to exercise their constitutional authority on school education and also on the registration of businesses, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 16/10/2020)

Frail local governance: Old administration ways to blame, by Navneet Jha (ht 28/09/2020)

Half of local governments have failed to receive first instalment of federal grants : Kathmandu has not sent the first tranche of federal grants to many local governments for not submitting the transaction details from the last fiscal year, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 21/09/2020) [Nepal is still not a federal, but an extremely centralised state!]

Local councils fail to pass enough laws: Report; Absence of human resources and lack of understanding of local governments’ powers are listed among reasons, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 20/09/2020)

Mayor Shakya goes incommunicado as Kathmandu grapples with pandemic : No one knows the state of health of the city’s ‘guardian’ or even his whereabouts, city officials say. He hasn’t delegated his responsibilities even while isolating himself, by Anup Ojha (kp 13/09/2020)

Bid to add transparency to local levels working (ht 10/09/2020)

As migrant workers start returning home, local levels feel the heat to create jobs : Local governments across country prioritise employing returnee migrant workers mainly in agriculture and local development sectors, with some coming up with innovative ideas, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 07/09/2020)

Around 40 percent government staff haven’t received their salaries yet, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 06/09/2020)

Karnali suffers in absence of senior officials as centre transfers them frequently : Two-fifths of the bureaucratic positions remain vacant and with the Federal Civil Servant Act still not in place, the province can’t start appointing civil servants on its own, by Kalendra Sejuwal (kp 04/09/2020)

Post of chief administrative officer vacant in several local units of Parsa, by Bhusan Yadav (kp 22/08/2020)

How are the local governments doing? Local governments still have a long way to go for ensuring a pro-people and deliberative democracy with strong priority towards recognizing the voice of citizens and their meaningful empowerment, by Prakash Bhattarai and Pradip Adhikari (rep 16/08/2020)

193 local bodies yet to present budget for 2020-21 (ht 30/07/2020)

Local levels in Baglung fail to implement policies and programmes (ht 27/07/2020)

City on the Hills: Branding Kirtipur, by Sitaram Dahal (ht 22/07/2020)

Karnali governments plan to spend more than they earn on their officials’ perks: A bill registered in the provincial assembly secretariat proposes facilities for elected representatives under 13 different headings, by Kalendra Sejuwal (kp 06/07/2020)

Lalitpur unveils ‘people-centric and practical’ plans and policies for upcoming fiscal year: From pandemic relief to promoting agriculture to cutting down road repair expenses, Mayor Chiri Babu Maharjan has set down several plans that his Kathmandu counterpart could not with more resources and budget, by Anup Ojha (kp 01/07/2020)

Budget meant for poor housing programme likely to freeze in nine districts of Bagmati Province: The provincial government had launched the housing programme in all 10 districts except three districts of Kathmandu Valley this fiscal year, by Pratap Bista (kp 27/06/2020)

Local bodies expedite budget preparations (ht 19/06/2020)

Challenges Of Local Budgeting, by Mukti Rijal (rn 11/06/2020)

Local governments at a loss on how to implement relief-for-work programme: Federal government last week decided to employ workers from the unorganised sector in public construction projects, but has not issued the guidelines to follow in the process, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 10/05/2020)

NC ward chair’s post declared void after party change (kh 04/05/2020)

Dang district health office does not have funds to fight Covid-19: The provincial government has allocated budget to the local units but they haven’t prioritised health services, by Durgalal KC (kp 20/04/2020)

Local government delivers medicines for chronic patients at their doorstep, by Santoh Pokharel (rep 14/04/2020)

Proactive Local Leadership Needed To Handle Crisis, by Kushal Pokharel (rn 12/04/2020)

Bajura district spends 6% of capital budget in 8 months, by Krishna Oli (rep 23/03/2020)

Local governments advocate use of technology to boost performance (ht 18/03/2020)

Women have numerical strength in local units, but little say: Gender pay gap runs deep in all kinds of profession in Makwanpur, women leaders say, by Pratap Bista (kp 09/03/2020)

Municipalities still heavily dependent on federal grants: Report: Experts say despite the dependence, local governments have raised more money than in the past, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 28/02/2020)

Border dispute halts infrastructure development in Shailung area: Both Doramba of Ramechhap and Shailung of Dolakha lay claim to the tourist destination, by Tika Prasad Bhatta (kp 22/02/2020)

Mayor of Madi Municipality demands amendment to National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act: The mayor announced his intention to go on a hunger strike from February 19 if his demands are not addressed, by Ramesh Kumar Paudel (kp 17/02/2020)

The local units will decide which schools should get state grants, not the president: Office of the President is envisioned to have a largely ceremonial role, not an executive one (kp 07/02/2020)

Monitoring committees in local units ineffective: Committee members are responsible for evaluating projects but they don’t have the necessary skills, by Ganesh Chaudhary (kp 06/02/2020)

A name to conjure with: The naming of places is no longer the prerogative of the state. Local units are choosing what they want to be called, by Deepak Thapa kp 06/02/2020)

Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality is teaching Mandarin in schools: The locals from the villages along the Nepal-China border believe that learning the language will help them communicate better with those across the frontier, by Anish Tiwari (kp 30/01/2020)

Local levels told to establish fund for GBV victims (ht 27/01/2020)

Sakela Rural Municipality invests in agriculture, health, education and tourism sectors: The municipality has made investments in the productive sectors in an effort to boost the income of the villagers, by Dambar Singh Rai (kp 25/01/2020)

Women Leadership At Local Level, by Mukti Rijal (rn 23/01/2020)

Local levels asked to follow procedure (ht 22/01/2020)

None of the local units in Parbat has conducted public hearings this fiscal year: The local government operational guideline dictates public hearing be held for transparency and to ensure good governance, by Agandhar Tiwari (kp 17/01/2020)

Industrual villages in local units: Local units told to propose potential sites, by Sujita Pradhan (rep 06/01/2020)

Rescued persons start reappearing on KMC streets (ht 05/01/2020)

KMC to remove all businesses from footpaths (ht 05/01/2020)

Singha Durbar to share up to 60 percent cost to build local government offices: Only 54 percent of the local governments have their own buildings for administrative work, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 04/01/2020)

Electricity bill gives licensing authority for projects below 3MW to local bodies (rep 04/01/2020)

BPKIHS starts probe into electricity tariff collection by unauthorized department, by Rohit Rai (rep 04/01/2020)

Year of controversy: Four years after the constitution came into force, the local governments have not been allowed to exercise their constitutional right of managing school education, by Binod Ghimire (kp 31/12/2019)

Kohalpur not willing to merge with Neplagunj sub-metropolis (ht 30/12/2019)

Campaigners wanted to paint flowers on Khula Manch podium. Mayor sent police force.: Conservationists say they just wanted to draw authorities’ attention to the importance of public spaces but Bidya Sundar Shakya calls the movement a politically motivated stunt., by Anup Ojha (kp 29/12/2019)

Fruit of federalism: Local governments must improve their spending capacity and administrative skills so that all the local units can generate more resources for themselves (ht 26/12/2019)

Khumbu Pasang Lhamu top royalty earner, by Umesh Poudel (kp 25/12/2019)

Six months on, dispute between people’s reps in Likhu Tamakoshi yet to be resolved (ht 25/12/2019)

Butwal sub-metropolis declared ‘street people-free zone’: The city’s year-long campaign rescued 197 beggars, of them, 72 have been rehabilitated in a shelter home, by Amrita Anmol (kp 22/12/2019)

Local units in Rukum East and West come together to preserve biodiversity: Sisne, Puthauttarganga and Banfikot are known to be home to red pandas and pangolins and rare medicinal herbs, by Hari Gautam (kp 20/12/2019)

Local units face shortage of office space, but federal help not forthcoming: The federal government is still in the planning phase of developing building designs and standards, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 19/12/2019)

Local unit goes without chief administrator in Dailekh: The office, which was reeling under pressure for lack of technical staff, has become severely affected since the departure of the last Chief Administrative Officer, by Jyoti Katuwal (kp 19/12/2019)

More than 80 percent of households live without land ownership certificates in Bagmati Rural Municipality: The rural municipal office is now conducting land survey to prepare a field book as endorsed in the legal system and making preparations to distribute the certificates, by Subash Bidari (kp 18/12/2019)

Kathmandu metropolis announces ‘beggar-free’ programme again: Though the previous campaigns to make the city beggar free had ended in failure, officials say this time they are well-prepared to see the plan through, by Shuvam Dhungana (kp 12/12/2019)

Implement verdict, local levels told: There are no legal  provisions that allow  local level office-bearers  to draw salary (ht 11/12/2019)

Diktel residents frustrated with their representatives’ service: Locals complain of local government’s indifference while entrepreneurs lament the dip in business, by Dambar Singh Rai (kp 07/12/2019)

To keep students in school, local unit launches mid-day meals in Tehrathum, by Chandra Karki (kp 07/12/2019)

CIAA questions local levels' spending (ht 04/12/2019)

21 local bodies yet to present budget for fiscal year 2019-20 (ht 03/12/2019)

Locals complain of lackadaisical service at the judicial committee in Nepalgunj: Lack of legal knowledge, budget and working guidelines is the major cause of the ineffective service delivery, by Madhu Shahi (kp 02/12/2019)

Lalitpur Metropolitan City organises public hearing, but without local participation: Many locals say they were not informed about the event, by Anup Ojha (kp 27/11/2019)

Land Use Act: Can local governments make use of it?, by Ayush Jung Thapa (ht 27/11/2019)

Ward members of Thabang Rural Municipality-1 resign in mass, by Dinesh Subedi (krep 26/11/2019)

Five injured as police clash with locals (ht 20/11/2019)

People in Khotang say their elected leaders lack vision and waste budget in inconsequential projects: Local units across the district are concentrating on projects that have no positive impacts on people's living standard, by Dambar Singh Rai (kp 19/11/2019) [Symbolic?]

State of local governance: Federalism is as much about devolution of political rights as it is about development rights. Delivery of basic services is now the responsibility of the local governments, by Biswo Poudel (rep 18/11/2019)

Poor service delivery infuriates Mugu locals: Local units in the district don’t have their own office buildings, and people are not happy about it, by Raj Bahadur Shahi (kp 15/11/2019)

Education Ministry issues circular, asking local governments to stop teacher hiring: Local governments say the move infringes upon their constitutional mandate, by Binod Ghimire (kp 13/11/2019) [Another grave violation of the constitution by the anti-federal Oli government!]

Construction of government offices left incomplete in Baglung: Contractors are getting paid before they even start their work, and this is causing them to make off with the money and not complete the work, say legal advocates, by Prakash Baral (kp 12/11/2019)

Local unit invests over Rs3 million in youths to ‘bolster self-employment’: A total of 32 youths have benefitted under the municipality’s scheme aimed at empowering skilled workers, by Arjun Rajbanshi (kp 11/11/2019)

Rara National Park ignores residents of buffer zone areas: The national park has not run development activities and income-generating programmes for locals due to lack of funds, by Raj Bahadur Shahi (kp 08/11/2019)

Local Deputies In Development Politics, by Anirudra Neupane (rn 08/11/2019)

There are no takers for mobile apps of local governments: Lack of internet services and awareness and illiteracy are to blame for minimal use of such apps, officials say, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 04/11/2019)

Local governments expect ease in delivery of services after Public Service Commission recruits new staff at the local level: Public Service Commission will start recommending candidates for recruitment within five days after completing the interviews that start November 7, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 27/10/2019)

Local unit blamed for facilitating amenities for squatters instead of evicting them: Local unit provided electricity and drinking water facilities to squatters living on public land of Surkhet Campus, by Chandani Khatayat (kp 26/10/2019)

SC stays rule allowing one-fourth members of municipal executive body to take decision (ht 24/10/2019)

Local governments ignore anti-graft body’s directive to stop teacher hiring: Vacancies were announced based on the statutory authority the local level enjoys, they say, by Binod Ghimire (kp 23/10/2019)

Local unit office in Dolakha shifted overnight: People’s representatives had been disputing over the administrative centre for the past eight months, by Rajendra Manandhar (kp 22/10/2019)

Two elected ward chiefs on the run for the past three months on fake citizenship charge: Administrative, as well as development, works affected because of the absence of ward chiefs in Birtamod and Bhadrapur municipalities, by Arjun Rajbanshi (kp 20/10/2019)

Local bodies’ associations call for revision in laws: Friday’s ruling has effectively barred local representatives from taking salaries (rep 20/10/2019)

CIAA bars local governments from appointing teachers on their own: All local governments informed about the views of anti-graft body, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 17/10/2019) [One of so many problems by the failed implementation of the federal state!]

Many local units leave their employees high and dry: Staffs have not been paid since the beginning of the current fiscal year due to the failure to present budget and dispute among elected representatives, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 04/10/2019)

Families of migrant workers who died abroad can receive financial support at local level: The latest move will save time and money for hundreds of aggrieved families who had to travel to Kathmandu from various parts of the country for claiming their compensation amount, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 03/10/2019)

Social Reform Act goes into effect in two Hetauda local units: The act prohibits giving and taking of dowry, attendance of over 51 people, or jantis, in nuptial ceremonies, and a gift of over Rs 1,000, by Pratap Bista (kp 02/10/2019)

For Chepang locals, government services are 80 km away: Officials say they don’t have enough staff to open office near the village, by Thakur Singh Tharu (kp 28/09/2019)

Health workers deployed to carry out administrative works in local units: Locals in Taplejung have started raising questions about the possible impact on the health sector after health workers have been mobilised to perform administrative works, by Ananda Gautam (kp 27/09/2019)

Staff shortage affects service seekers in Dhankuta local units: Chief of District Coordination Committee says his office has been delivering services with only three employees, by Ramesh Chandra Adhikari (kp 23/09/2019)

Lack of necessary laws leaves local government helpless: With no laws in place, the local government in Province 5 is failing to work effectively in various sectors—particularly forest and land management, by Amrita Anmol (kp 17/09/2019)

Meet the female ward chiefs of Bardiya: When the female ward chiefs assumed office two years ago, there were plenty of naysayers. Now, the naysayers have become supporters, by Thakur Singh Tharu (kp 17/09/2019)

Dispute between mayor and deputy halts works in Urlabari Municipality: Deputy mayor claims the mayor took a unilateral decision and monopolised the workings of the municipality, by Binu Timsina (kp 16/09/2019)

Local units in Hetauda yet to incorporate online registration system: The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration had introduced the online registration system five years ago, by Subash Bidari (kp 16/09/2019)

District HQ close, yet too far for Limba, Durdimba denizens in Panchthar (ht 14/09/2019)

In Kaski, local representatives have little outcome to show from their trips abroad: Pokhara Mayor Man Bahadur GC has spent around two and half months on foreign trips, many of them for trivial conferences, by Deepak Pariyar (kp 09/09/2019)

MPs wonder why govt is letting dengue spread: Local level reps claim they lack: budget, manpower to do needful, by Sabitri Dhakal (ht 09/09/2019)

A remote municipality in Baglung hit hardest by employee shortage: The municipality has a total of 27 posts available but currently one seven are employed, by Prakash Baral (kp 08/09/2019)

Local units in Dhanusha perform poorly as they fail to exercise their powers: Authorities have been given the power to execute works regarding health, education, agriculture, livestock, social security, development activities, among others, by Shyam Sundar Shashi (kp 06/09/2019)

Implement NHRC’s recommendations, MoFAGA tells local bodies (ht 30/08/2019)

Voices of women unheard in Dolpa local units: Because of male-dominated local units, plans and policies of the local units are not in favour of women in Dolpa, by Chandani Khatayat (kp 29/08/2019)

Five local units of Saptari may lose federal grant, by Jitendra Kumar Jha (rep 28/08/2019)

Five ward chairpersons resign in Bajura, by Krishna Oli (rep 24/09/2019)

Bajhang lawmakers call for Chief District Officer’s transfer: People’s representatives and lawmakers from the district are dissatisfied with the CDO’s strict action against the use of heavy machinery in the district’s road projects, by Basanta Pratap Singh (kp 23/08/2019)

Single public office working for six districts: The popular ‘gaun gaun ma Singha Durbar’ slogan has remained just that—a slogan, with its implementation a far cry, by Samjhana Rasaili (kp 22/08/2019)

26 local bodies yet to announce budget (ht 22/08/2019)

Public school teachers launch protests demanding the federal government should manage them: Local government in response says the centre cannot take the move, citing it unconstitutional, by Binod Ghimire (kp 15/08/2019)

Most local units in Dhanusha fail to allocate budget meant for community schools: Hanspur Municipality has failed to disburse the budget for textbooks, scholarships and midday meals due to a shortage of staff, says Mayor Mandal, by Shyamsundar Shashi (kp 13/08/2019)

Building that serves as school and municipal office affecting studies at a Panchthar school: The elected representatives, after the local elections two years ago, had decided to set up the rural municipal office at the school’s building, by Lila Ballav Gjhimire (kp 13/08/2019)

Lalitpur city office unveils broomers and tankers: Mayor Chiri Babu Maharjan vows to make the city clean and free of dust and mud, by Anup Ojha (kp 10/08/2019)

People’s representatives from Likhu Tamakoshi visit district administration office seeking security: They have accused Govinda Bahadur Khadka, chairman of the rural municipality, of assaulting office staff, by Tika Prasad Bhatta (kp 05/08/2019)

Federal government halts grants to local governments for failing to present their budget: Employees are unsure if they will receive their salaries in time, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 01/08/2019)

Mediation At Local Level, by Mukti Rijal (rn 01/08/2019)

Local bodies collect service charge for 'no service' (rep 31/07/2019)

Capacity Building At Local Level, by Mukti Rijal (rn 25/07/2019)

KMC announces policies, programmes (ht 22/07/2019)

Local bodies lock horns over border (ht 20/07/2019)

Service seekers surprised as ward office provides timely services: The city office had recently established a help desk at the ward office after receiving complaints from service seekers about the sluggish pace of work at the office, by Shankar Acharya (kp 20/07/2019)

72 local units failed to present budget in time and half of them are from Province 2: Erring sub-national governments may get reduced budget in the following fiscal year which could affect development projects, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 16/07/2019)

Consumer committees gain local units’ trust, by Ganesh Chaudhary (kp 16/07/2019)

135 local bodies yet to present budget for 2019-20 fiscal year (ht 04/07/2019)

Sindhupalchok local units introduce women-centric and agro-friendly drives: Tripura Sundari Rural Municipality recently launched a campaign called ‘Security Plan for Your Daughter’s Future’, by Anish Tiwari (kp 01/07/2019)

118 locals units still to unveil their budget: Internal feud and lack of manpower blamed for the delay (rep 01/07/2019)

Redefining local leadership: Better governance outcomes are possible only when local politicians become more flexible and open-minded to share leadership roles with the chief administrative officers, by Shyam Dahal (rep 30/06/2019)

Local governments across the country are once again caught in budget presentation delay: Federal Affairs Ministry says it will facilitate struggling local  governments to present budget as early as possible, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 27/06/2019), Spend judiciously: The local levels must make utmost use of their resources, as their performance will determine the amount of conditional grant it receives (ht 27/06/2019)

Rethinking infrastructure at local levels (rep 27/06/2019)

Kathmandu Metropolitan City unveils Rs15.5 billion budget: Infrastructure development gets the largest chunk of the budget: Rs7.43 billion—39 percent of the total amount, by Anup Ojha (kp 26/06/2019), Local bodies present fiscal budget for 2019-20, by Umesh Poudel (ht 26/06/2019), Infrastructure prioritized in local budgets (rep 26/06/2019)

Local govt accused of not maintaining transparency, by Mithilesh Yadav (rep 26/06/2019)

Local representatives of Balara up in arms against their mayor: The feud has deprived locals of timely services and affected development works, by Om Prakash Thakur (kp 25/06/2019)

Kathmandu ward members urge provincial government to hike pay: Metropolis is unable to implement its decision of providing Rs 15,000  in salary as it contradicts the provincial law, by Subash Bidari (kp 24/06/2019)

Ishnath mayor accused of excluding deputy in decision making, by Madan Thakur (rep 23/06/2019)

Kathmandu Metropolis announces ‘new’ plans for fiscal year 2019-20: With the city office failing to address even minor issues, there are concerns whether it will be able to deliver on lofty promises, by Anup Ojha (kp 21/06/2019)

Legal Pluralism At Local Level, by Mukti Rijal (rn 20/06/2019)

Confusion looms over local level budget due to political differences: Local governments that presented the budget at the tail end of the current fiscal year are gearing up to announce their spending plan on  time—but all is not guaranteed, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 19/06/2019)

Staff shortage hits government offices: Short of hands, municipal offices in Achham district are forced to put off daily operations, by Menuka Dhungana (kp 19/06/2019)

Local units suffer as federal and provincial governments spar over staff hiring: Municipality and rural municipality representatives say lack of employees has affected service delivery, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 16/06/2019)

Local councils asked to monitor revolving community funds to prevent misuse: As the fate of Poverty Alleviation Fund hangs  in the balance, officials say people are  defaulting on non-collateral loans, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 12/06/2019)

Public Complaint Unit has not received a single complaint in 4 months, by Anup Ojha (kp 10/06/2019)

Worry over lack of coordination as state and local governments gear up for budget: Local government representatives say more discussions required to avoid duplication of projects and resources, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 05/06/2019)

Local governments to get 9,161 civil servants (ht 31/05/2019), CM Raut condemns centre’s move to hire civic staff (ht 01/06/2019)

Citizens’ Participation, by Mukti Rijal (rn 30/05/2019)

Rural municipality ward offices sans secretaries (ht 28/05/2019)

Public Service Commission starts process to hire 9,000 employees for local level: Local governments have been facing staff crunch, which is affecting service delivery, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 26/05/2019)

Itahari mayor misbehaves with a journalist and deputy mayor issues apology: The instance may look like simple bureaucracy, but female politicians say it shows how women are denied decision-making role and made to play second fiddle, by Bhrikuti Rai (kp 26/05/2019)

Itahari sub-metropolis officials protest against mayor, boycott work (rep 24/05/2019)

A rural municipality blocks road to another rural municipality after being denied access to yarsha pockets, by Jagat Khadka (rep 23/05/2019)

Local units fail to fix administrative centers even two years after election (rep 19/05/2019)

In disarray: The centre must immediately assign secretaries to the wards in Baglung (kp 13/05/2019)

Municipalities demand scrapping of KVDA, by Sonam Lama (rep 09/05/2019)

Shortage of staff hampers services at Province 1 local units (kp 05/05/2019)

Postmortem service still a big challenge in Solukhumbu, by Shikhar Jung Shrestha (rep 05/05/2019)

Rural municipality shifts focus from roads to education, by Dinesh Subedi (rep 04/05/2019)

Understaffed local unit in Achham conducts classes to prep locals for employment, by Menuka Dhungana (kp 03/05/2019)

Private school operators decry local governments’ enrolment rule: They say forcing public office holders to send their children to public schools is against right to freedom, by Binod Ghimire (kp 02/05/2019)

Staff readjustment leaves municipality in disarray, by HariharSingh Rathour

Lack of staff in Ramechhap local units hits services, by Tika Prasad Bhatta (kp 01/05/2019)

Lack of resources and laws puts District Coordination Committees in confusion The bodies meant to check irregularities have been ineffective, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 30/04/2019)

Scientific land use: Gateway to prosperity, by Santosh Paudel (ht 26/04/2019)

Ministries face pressure of pork barrel projects (ht 26/04/2019)

Building safe homes: Local governments should take initiative for implementing building codes and by-laws. They should also monitor compliance of those laws, by Keshab Sharma (rep 25/04/2019)

Centre’s decision to recruit teachers on its own further deepens dispute with local level, by Binod Ghimire (kp 24/04/2019)

Disaster management in disarray in local units (kp 23/04/2019)

Aid for empowerment: Building capacity of LGs, by Prakash Paudel (ht 22/04/2019)

MoFAGA devolves its authority (ht 18/04/2019)

Schools lack money to buy textbooks as local governments fail to disburse funds: Local level officials blame unavailability of data on students for  the failure to release the money, but some schools disagree, by Binod Ghimire (kp 17/04/2019)

Local governments purchase essential drugs without quality checks, by Arjun Poudel (kp 17/04/2019)

Complaints about irregularities at local level on the rise, CIAA says, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 17/04/2019)

Limi Valley in Humla cut off and still deprived of government services: The families in the region often bring lump salt and food from Tibet due to a lack of arable land, by Jaya Bahadur Rokaya (kp 17/04/2019)

Financial irregularities rampant in local units of Karnali: Auditor General’s report (kp 16/04/2019)

Lack of ward secretaries hampering work in Tanahun (ht 16/04/2019)

Emergency fund set up to save infants and pregnant women, by Tripthi Shahi (kp 15/04/2019)

Unsettled spending up by 150 percent in local units (rep 13/04/2019)

Lack of know-how renders judicial committees ineffective at local levels (ht 09/04/2019)

Implementation of fiscal discipline challenging at local levels: WB (ht 09/04/2019)

Fourth municipal assembly of Kathmandu passes four bills for reforms: Among the bills, the Municipal Transportation Management Act 2075 has set the tallest of goals, by Anup Ojha (kp 08/04/2019)

Local govts disobeying central govt, by Devendra Basnet (rep 01/04/2019) [This has to do with the failure of the central govt to introduce clear regulations on power sharing and responsibilities under the federal system! The decisions mentioned in this article should be under the responsibility of the local govt because the central govt has no idea of the local situation!!]

Local units scattering budget on small projects: Ministry report, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 31/03/2019)

Local governments: In need of town planning act, by Umesh B Malla (ht 01/04/2019)

Water quality testing equipment, kits to be sent to all local federal units, by Arjun Poudel (kp 26/03/2019)

Eight months into the fiscal year, local governments have yet to present budget, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 24/03/2019)

Women’s voices go unheard in local units led by male officials: Budget for women empowerment and income-generation unspent, by Menuka Dhungana (kp 16/03/2019)

Local units fail to submit reports on tobacco consumption control, by Nayak Paudel (kp 09/03/2019)

Local units want revision in federal bills: Representatives say some provisions encroach upon their constitutional authority, by Binod Ghimire (kp 05/03/2019)

First female CDO offers a ray of hope to people in Jumla (rep 02/03/2019)

Local Adjudication Under Scanner, by Mukti Rijal (rn 28/02/2019)

Local unit heads chairing school mgmt committees illegal: Ministry; One ward chairman heads 32 such committees, by Bishnu Prasad Aryal (ht 26/02/2019)

Locals deprived of govt services as representatives go on excursion, by Nagendra Upadhyay (rep 26/02/2019)

Federal affairs ministry renames five local units: Administrative centres of 7 federal units changed in Sudurpaschim (kp 19/02/2019) [Under the federal system, this should be the task of the provincial government!!]

Legal hurdle in way of KMC move to take back encroached public land (rep 18/02/2019)

Bajura municipality goes paperless by installing internet in all its ward offices, by Krishna Oli (rep 17/02/2019)

‘Amend Local Government Operation Act’, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 11/02/2019)

CDO made TDC member amid objections, by Jagdishor Panday (ht 11/02/2019)

Most local unit offices still in rented buildings, by Suman Mall (rep 10/02/2019) [related to Mugu]

Procedure envisages clean villages and cities (ht 09/02/2019)

Lack of legal clarity hinders local bodies’ performance, by Bhim Chapagain (rep 05/02/2019)

Local levels told to be clear about taxes they are authorised to collect (ht 02/02/2019)

Local units okayed to issue helicopter rescue permits, by Sangam Prasain (kp 25/01/2019)

New procedure seeks preparation of rural, urban profile (ht 24/01/2019)

All wards of local levels to have healthcare centres (ht 24/01/2019)

Local units ban haphazard use of heavy equipment in infrastructural development, by Hari Gautam (kp 23/01/2019)

Junichande Rural Municipality yet to fix centre (ht 13/01/2019)

Legal contradictions put local levels in a fix (ht 07/01/2019)

Kathmandu, provinces differ on CDO’s role: According to the bill, the chief district officer reports the law and order situation to the Federal Home Ministry and provincial Internal Affairs Ministrye, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 06/01/2019) [Obviously, central government thinking never dies out!]

Government groups local federal units into four categories (kp 05/01/2019)

JC’s Functions In Confusion, by Mukti Rijal (rn 03/01/2019)

Mayor, Mayor, on the Wall: Bidya Sundar Shakya has bitten off more than he can chew as he struggles to keep his promises, by Anup Ojha (kp 31/12/2018)

64 local units yet to see presence of commercial bank (rep 30/12/2018)

All local levels to get public health nurses (ht 30/12/2018)

Federal Affairs Ministry asks local governments not to enact laws on their own: Contrary to constitutional provision, ministry issues circular to 753 local units to consult with the Centre before formulating any law, by Binod Ghimire (kp 29/12/2018) [Misunderstanding of federalism or deliberate disregard of the constitution? Probably the latter!]

Few complaints despite poor service delivery in Okhaldhunga, Baitadi: A survey finds 61 percent service seekers in Okhaldhunga and  58 percent in Baitadi do not register complaints against poor services, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 29/12/2018)

Locals protesting demolitions clash with police in West Rukum, 10 injured (rep 29/12/2018)

Local bodies’ staff across country launch protest (rep 18/12/2018)

Excavation of resources invites territorial disputes among local units, by Yogesh Rawal (rep 17/12/2018)

Kathmandu sets inspection panel after 19 months: Deputy Mayor Hari Prabha Khadgi says the committee will do surveillance of all the activities carried by the metropolis from development works to market activities, by Anup Ojha (kp 14/12/2018)

City mayor vows to prove himself after slow start, by Anup Ojha (kp 11/12/2018)

Law-making at Local Level, by Mukti Rijal (rn 06/12/2018)

Locally recruited staff get primacy over ones appointed by Centre, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 03/12/2018)

Villagers elated as local government starts delivering election promises, by Mithilesh Yadav (rep 02/12/2018)

NGOs resist pressure to register at local level, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 27/11/2018), Federal government at the heart of many disputes at the local levels, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 27/11/2018)

Dalit ward members excluded from decision-making, by Pushparaj Joshi (rep 27/11/2018)

Local level Operation act: Government agencies spar over rights, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 22/11/2018)

Hello Kathmandu, where are the complaints?Hello Mahanagar hotline 1180 service receives two complaints in five months, by Anup Ojha (kp 21/11/2018)

Personnel At Local Level, by Mukti Rijal (rn 15/11/2018)

Limbu declared official language in a local unit in Ilam, by Biplav Bhattarai (kp 14/11/2018), Limbu language declared official language, by Bhim Chapagain (rep 01/12/2018)

Border dispute erupts as two municipalities assign contract for one area, by Upendra Yadav (rep 14/11/2018)

Four dozen local units yet to present budget: Delay in passing fiscal estimates hits workers and municipal development projects; Teachers, health workers and employees at rural municipalities have not been paid since the fiscal year began in mid-July, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 13/11/2018)

Making Local Education Policies, by Shak Bahadur Budhathoki (rn 11/11/2018)

RM offices running from rented buildings (ht 07/11/2018)

Lack of ward secretaries hinders essential services: More than half of the wards in local units across the country are without ward secretaries, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 01/11/2018)

Local governments allowing mining in Chure to generate income, by Mithilesh Yadav (kp 01/11/2018)

Kathmandu Metropolitan City in action: Health and education are some of core areas of service delivery and local development that fall within the responsibility of the local government, by Mukti Rijal (rep 31/10/2018)

Without a clue: There is much confusion about the exact role and duties of the judicial committees, by Sandhya Sitoula and Niresh Chapagain (kp 31/10/2018)

Six ward offices in Baitadi sans secretaries, by Khagendra Awasthi (kp 28/10/2018)

MoFAGA tells local levels to activate monitoring panels (ht 27/10/2018)

District offices finally removed in federal set-up after 15 months, by Maheshwor Chamling Rai (rep 11/10/2018)

Local judicial committees adopting 'Panchayat-era' approach, by Mithilesh Yadav (rep 10/10/2018)

Law Ministry says vacancies at local levels could be filled through by-elections (kp 09/10/2018)

Criteria set for changing local government headquarters, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 01/10/2018)

Local unit to punish reps promoting Chhaupadi, untouchability, by DB Budha (rep 29/09/2018)

Directive on foreign visits gets approval (kp 24/09/2018)

Municipalities ‘not heeding’ DCC’s orders (ht s24/0p9/2018)

Grassroots democracy is delivering development: Across Nepal, rural municipalities are being forced to be accountable, by Kishor Pradhan (nt 21/09/2018)

ID cards must to drink alcohol in Gaumul Village, by Arjun Shah (kp 18/09/2018)

Judicial committees still struggles to deliver justice, by Nagendra Upadhyaya (rep 18/09/2018)

Five jets add thrust to city’s cleaning drive (kp 16/09/2018) [related to KMC]

Local representatives: Focus on your job (rep 16/09/2018)

Protest staged against tax hike in Pokhara (ht 15/09/2018)

Duplication and confusion Local units have been competing to impose new taxes instead of improving services, by Ram Hari Marasini (kp 13/09/2018)

Local bodies in Salyan reel under shortage of staff: Villgers say they still visit the district headquarters for government services as the local units are without key officers, by Biplav Maharjan (kp 12/09/2018)

No secretaries in Magar settlements (rep 12/09/2018)

Five exemplary steps by local bodies, by Rudra Pangeni (rep 09/09/2018)

Super Six, by Om Astha Rai (nt 06/09/2018), Wonderful Waling, by Shashwat Acharya (nt 06/09/2018), Pro-poor mayor, by Jiya Lal Sah (nt 06/09/2018), Rana regime restored in Nepalganj: As the only re-elected mayor in last year’s election, Dhawal Rana picks up where he left off 25 years ago, by Kunda Dixit (nt 06/09/2018), A mayor of his word, by Yuvaraj Shrestha (nt 06/09/2018), Salma breaks her silence: A Muslim deputy mayor’s lonely struggle against domineering men, by Suresh Bidari (nt 06/09/2018), A breath of fresh air in Thimi: The one mayor in Kathmandu Valley trying to be a role model for good governance, by Monika Deupala, by Monika Deupala (nt 06/09/2018), Jumla’s great leap into the future: Kantika Sejuwal says Jumla is already ahead of the rest of Nepal with female mayor and deputy, by Krishnamaya Upadhyaya (nt 06/09/2018) [including small videos each]

Locals protest against local government, by Mithilesh Yadav (rep 06/09/2018)

Suspension of acting mayor recommended (ht 06/09/2018)

Phone app for local governments (kp 05/09/2018)

Local government fails to bring any change to health sector, by DB Budha (rep 05/09/2018)

Bill bars local units from recruiting civil servants (rep 04/09/2018) [Long live the non-federal authoritarian central state!]

Kathmandu, local level spar over wealth tax: Municipal Association of Nepal says the Finance Act for this fiscal year will hit their revenue collection; The federal government claims tax on house and the area covered by it, asking local level to collect land tax elsewhere, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 02/09/2018)

Local level to go climate smart (kp 02/09/2018)

Bajhang bans alcohol from Sept 17, by Basanta Pratap Singh (kp 02/08/2018)

Credentials Of Local Governments At Stake?, by Uttam Maharjan (rn 31/08/2018)

Prosperity programme: 21 Tarai districts to get Rs 5 million each; The government has allocated Rs2.03 billion to implement the programme which will go tothe local units as a conditional grant (kp 31/08/2018)

Municipality’s judiciary committee helping locals in social disputes, by Narahari Sapkota (rep 27/08/2018)

Rautahat local levels undecided on holding assembly (ht 24/08/2018)

Local govts to implement climate adaptation projects (ht 24/08/2018)

Millions spent on personal vehicles, nothing on public welfare (rep 23/08/2018), No basic services in villages but millions spent on vehicles for chiefs (rep 24/08/2018)

No taxes for Palata’s impoverished families, by Tularam Pandey (kp 21/08/2018)

Province 3 seeks tax details from local units, by Ashok Sujan Shrestha (rep 21/07/2018)

Local unit drops plan to purchase office vehicle, to buy ambulance, by Himnath Devkota (rep 21/08/2018)

Paroha Municipality to provide dozens of services free of cost, by Madan Thakur (rep 21/08/2018)

Nepal’s Local Governance: A Unique Model, by Sarmila Bagale (rn 20/08/2018)

Local government imposes Rs 50 per kg ‘export tax’ on apples, by LP Devkota (kp 20/08/2018) [Those responsible should be brought to justice!]

Even local representatives not spared of caste-based discrimination, by Binod Pariyar (rep 18/08/2018)

Judicial committees have failed to function properly, says report (ht 18/08/2018)

Bridging gaps: Proper municipal financing a must for infrastructural development and economic prosperity, by Siddhartha Pant (kp 17/08/2018)

Gaushala revises controversial tax rates following public uproar (kp 16/08/2018)

Representatives accused of preferring excursion to development projects, by Anil Bhandari (rep 15/08/2018)

New taxes galore: Local units are on a tax collection spree prompting the federal government to step in, by Binay Kumar Mishra (kp 13/08/2018)

Over 50pc local representatives do not declare property details (kp 12/08/2018)

Local govts failing on education (rep 12/08/2018)

‘Local units performing poorly on school education’ (rep 10/08/2018)

Judicial Committees for Mediation, by Mukti Rijal (rn 09/08/2018)

Rural municipality offers incentives to boost local population, by Bhagiswar Limbu (rep 07/08/2018)

Mayor out for excursion leaving garbage on streets for days, by Mithilesh Yadhav (rep 04/08/2018)

One year since local elections, local units still struggling with manpower crunch, by Binod Pariyar (rep 04/08/2018)

Ministry draft gives clarity on foreign visits Local officials can travel abroad if UN agencies and foreign governments invite them; The directive aims tocheck local officials’ ‘unnecessary’ sponsored foreign visits (kp 02/08/2018)

Ilam Municipality imposes 50 paisa tax on petroleum products (rep 01/08/2018)

MoFAGA urges all 753 local levels to adhere to 35-point commitment (ht 30/07/2018)

Local level officials quick to eye pay, perks: Provincial lawmakers had grumbled that their salary was  less than that of government secretaries though their place in the protocol hierarchy was higher, by Devendra Basnet (rep 29/07/2018)

Local levels allowed to recruit temporary staffers, by Jagdishor Panday (ht 29/07/2018)

Locals express discontent as KMC fails to deliver: The enthusiasm with which Kathmanduties voted Shakya and his panel to power has transformed into widespread frustration, by Diya Dhakal (rep 27/07/2018)

‘Local levels splurging on vehicles’ (ht 27/07/2018)

Govt plans to build 15 new cities in ‘high hills' (ht 25/07/2018)

Local representatives agitated over govt office relocation, by Upendra Yadav (rep 22/07/2018)

Preserving Hanuman Dhoka: Heritage activists file contempt cases (kp 20/07/2018)

Urban concerns in Kathmandu: The newly elected government needs to pay attention to developing open spaces in the city, by Sushila Ghimire (kp 17/07/2018)

Amid reservations, govt dissolves local peace committees: The Home Ministry decision says all the activities carried out by the peace committees will now be transferredto the District Administration Offices (kp 18/07/2018)

Central govt scraps district offices (kp 18/07/2018)

The city of woe: Kathmandu is failing to ensure its citizens access to food, housing, transportation, education, health care, and other basic necessities, by Udaya R. Wagle (rep 18/07/2018)

Manpower crunch poses problem in merging government authorities, by Bhim Chapagain (rep 18/07/2018)

Local levels in Ramechhap district without employees (ht 15/07/2018)

Lessons from a public hearing: There is much to be desired when it comes to local level governance, but it is taking baby steps nonetheless, by Amish Raj Mulmi (kp 13/07/2018)

Under fire for nonperformance, KMC bosses out to hike own pay, perks, by Khilak Budhathoki (kp 13/07/2018)

Physical Infrastructures changing looks of local units, by Upendra Yadav (rep 10/07/2018)

Row over authority to manage resources at local level, by Devendra Basnet (rep 02/07/2018)

Local government registering Boddhichitta plants, by Madhusudhan Guragain (rep 01/07/2018)

Job charm of central level leaves local govts understaffed (kp 30/06/2018)

End of fiscal year spending results in shoddy work: Rupandehi looks for ways to spend Rs 2 billion in 15 days, by Binod Pariyar (rep 29/06/2018)

Elected representatives in Kalaiya keep their word, by Upendra Yadav (rep 28/06/2018)

Kathmandu presents Rs13b budget for next fiscal year: Provincial and local governments drew their respective budgets by incorporating funds allocated by the centre (kp 27/06/2018)

A year after local election, construction of ward offices intensified in Mustang, by Sushil Babu Thakali (rep 26/06/2018)

Pokhara-Lekhnath Metropolitan City to drop ‘Lekhnath’ from its name (ht 26/06/2018)

PLMC gives continuity to old ambitious programs, by Santosh Pokharel (rep 25/06/2018)

Kalaiya Sub-metropolis unveils budget of Rs 1b (rep 25/06/2018)

Local bodies to present budget today (rep 24/06/2018)

Karnali local units prioritize infrastructure development (rep 23/06/2018)

Strengthening the Local Level Bodies, by Hira Bahadur Thapa (rn 22/06/2018)

Dharan Sub-metropolis faces challenge to meet revenue target, by Rohit Rai (rep 22/06/2018)

Competence of Municipalities, by Mukti Rijal (rn 21/06/2018)

Local bodies draw flak over flaunting laws, by Pabitra Kumar Shahi (rep 21/06/2018), Empower local govts: It is imperative that Parliament enact the required law at the earliest to pave the way for local governments to hire their staff on their own (ht 21/06/2018)

Policies formulated by local units contradict constitution, by Devendra Basnet (rep 20/06/2018)

Civic body vows to fight fraud and corruption: Mayor presents KMC plans for current fiscal year (kp 17/06/2018)

‘Reconciliation’ first priority for judicial committees, by Arjun Oli (rep 17/06/2018)

Civil staff shortage: Education Ministry under-secretaries head to local units (kp 13/06/2018)

Circular on foreign visit issued to local levels (ht 13/06/2018)

Bureaucrats complain of undue pressure from elected representatives (rep 12/06/2018)

Disputes at local units stall development works, by Mithilesh Yadav (rep 12/06/2018)

NC forms shadow governments in Khotang local units (12/06/2018)

Justice delivery by local units ineffective due to lack of legal knowledge, by Nagendra Upadhyay and Ginda KC (rep 11/06/2018)

Scrapping of integrated property tax leaves local units in confusion, by Rohit Rai (rep 11/06/2018)

Service delivery of local units improves slightly after elections: TIN survey (rep 10/06/2018)

Local government fails to live up to people's expectations, by Daman Rai (rep 06/06/2018)

Dalit ward member killed, three women held (kp 05/06/2018)

Janakpur left high and dry by defaulting contractors, by Suresh Yadav (rep 05/06/2018)

Local government duty call evokes poor response: With a total of 21,716 officials already in service, local federal units across the country require some 16,000 staffers more, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 03/06/2018)

Disaster response plan on the anvil: Experts say strengthening capacity of local level crucial for saving lives (kp 03/06/2018)

Local govt permission mandatory for research in Everest region, by Rajan Pokhrel (ht 03/06/2018)

Road mania grips local levels: Over half of budget for road projects, by Rudra Pangeni (rep 02/06/2018)

Local bodies bring codes of conduct for meetings, by Dil Bahadur Chhatyal (rep 02/06/2018)

Local levels need 7,000 civil servants (ht 01/06/2018)

Dispute related to jurisdiction over local resources causes confusion (ht 30/05/2018)

District headquarters loses its charm, by Daman Rai (rep 30/05/2018)

46 local units seek revision of names, centres and boundaries (ht 29/05/2018), Lack of law hindering service delivery: Municipal chairs (ht 29/05/2018)

Govt issues directive on formulation of budget and plan of local levels (ht 28/05/2018)