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