LLGA FINALLY ENDORSED
The Kathmandu Post
22 September 2017
LLGA
FINALLY ENDORSED
The
Legislative Parliament has finally endorsed Local Level Governance Act (LLGA) on
Tuesday. This endorsement has paved the way for the full fledged operation of
the elected local bodies (“House
endorses Local Level Governance Act” Sept. 20, Page 2). It will come into
effect once the President authorises it but this act should have come into
effect at the onset of local level elections so that the elected local
representatives in the Provinces 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 could have implemented
some development programmes rather than carrying out only the administrative
works. This bill, registered in the Parliament on May 12, has been pending due
to differences among parties over a number of provisions.
The
Act has opened the door for two or more municipalities or rural municipalities to
merge, as long as the majority of the councils from the respective local units is
reached. They can be merged if they deem it necessary for financial or other
reasons. In fact, the Local Level Restructuring Commission had argued for only
300 units to be economically viable. The bill has also authorized the local
governments to change their names and administrative centres with a majority
decision of the council. Also, the local level units are free to change the
boundaries of the wards or upgrade them from rural municipalities to
municipalities if they fulfil the criteria set by the central government.
The
smallest unit among the three tiers of the government can set their own city
police force, issue land owner certificates and even collect revenue on
property in addition to registering births, deaths and marriages. They are also
allowed to levy taxes on house rent, entertainment, property and tourism. The
Act, formulated in accordance with the spirit of new constitution, grants the
local level units legislative, executive and judicial rights. Looking at these
provisions of the act, the local level units will be able to independently run
the village council using their executive, legislative and judicial rights.
However, until elected representatives are fully aware of their roles and
responsibilities, there will be a long way to go to fully exercise these rights.
Rai Biren
Bangdel
Maharajgunj
http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/printedition/news/2017-09-22/golden-opportunity-20170922085753.html
