HETAUDA: Three key local government umbrella bodies on Thursday submitted a memorandum to Bagmati Province Chief Minister Indra Bahadur Baniya, urging him to convene a long-overdue meeting of the Province Coordination Council.
The memorandum was jointly presented by the National Association of Rural Municipalities in Nepal (Bagmati chapter), the Municipal Association of Nepal, and the Federation of District Coordination Committees of Bagmati Province.
The organizations have called for the council meeting to be held at the earliest to review the current political situation, strengthen coordination between provincial and local governments, assess damages caused during the recent Gen Z protests, and devise reconstruction and rehabilitation plans. They also stressed the need to discuss the implementation of approved programs and plans for the current fiscal year 2025/26.
The memorandum further recommended interim arrangements for damaged local government and district coordination structures to ensure uninterrupted public services. It proposed mobilizing development partners, as well as resources under the Provincial and Local Governance Support Programme (PLGSP), through the Province Steering Committee.
The groups also urged the province to request the Prime Minister to immediately convene a meeting of the National Coordination Council and to prepare agendas for that forum on behalf of the Province Coordination Council.
In addition, the associations expressed condolences for those who died during the Gen Z protests and extended sympathies to bereaved families, while wishing a speedy recovery for the injured. They demanded that authorities ensure free and effective treatment for those hurt.
The memorandum acknowledged the legitimacy of the protesters’ demands, including an end to corruption, stronger guarantees of good governance, and greater youth participation in decision-making.
Receiving the memorandum, Chief Minister Baniya pledged to convene the Province Coordination Council meeting as soon as possible, assuring that the concerns raised by the associations would be addressed.
The event was attended by Karna Bahadur Magar, president of the National Association of Rural Municipalities (Bagmati Province), Lalit Ghalan, president of the Federation of District Coordination Committees (Bagmati Province), secretary Sanukaji Luintel, joint secretary Tara Dhungana, among others.
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