Sandhikarka and Bharatpur best local units in Nepal

 Kathmandu, Feb. 21

Sandhikharka Municipality of Arghakhanchi district and Bharatpur Metropolitan City of Chitwan have topped the list of performance based evaluation conducted by the National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission (NNRFC).

According to the preliminary report published by the NNRFC, Sandhikharka obtained 61.81 marks while Bharatpur Metropolis got 56.29. Among the best performers are Malika Rural Municipality of Gulmi with 55.40 marks, Amargadhi Municipality  of Dadeldhura with 48.99, Maiwakhola RM ofTaplejung with 48.31 and Yangwarak RM of Panchthar with 48.26 marks.

Meanwhile, the local bodies in Madhes province have some of the worst performance. Haripurwa Municipality  of Sarlahi could manage to get only 5.99 marks, followed by Kalikamai RM of Parsa with 8.54 and Simraunagadh Municipality of Bara with 10.1 marks.

Other poor performers are Kshireshwornath Municipality of Dhanusha (10.22), Sabhapokhari RM of Sankhuwasabha (10.30), Madhav Narayan Municipality of Rautahat (10.31), Bhagwanpur RM of Siraha (10.68), Rabbiraj Municipality of Saptari (10.74), Bishnupur RM of Siraha (10.81), Kalyanpur RM of Siraha (10.85), and Sabaila Municipality of Dhanusha (11.42).

Likewise, Dhanauji RM of Dhanusha got 11.58 marks, Sonam RM of Mahottari 11.65, Bariyarpatti RM of Siraha 11.79, Athrai RM of Terhathum 12.78, and Chinnamasta RM of Saptari 15.77.

Overall performance of all provinces and local bodies has been poor, according to the report of the Commission.

Among the provinces, Koshi has obtained the highest marks (30.89) and Lumbini the lowest (16.99).  Marks of Karnali is 20.98, Sururpaschim 21.08, Madhes 22.31, Gandaki 23.07 and Bagmati 27.29.

Indicators to measure the performance of the provinces include the size of arrears, budget mobilisation, revenue collection, air quality index, forest area, timely distribution to revenue/grants to the local bodies and record keeping of all financial activities.

Among the metropolitan cities Bharatpur's 56.29 is followed by Kathmandu with 39.02, Birgunj 33.49, and Biratnagar 32.85.

Lalitpur and Pokhara obtained 25.18 and 20.74 marks respectively.

Bases for the measurement of the local levels' performance were timely announcement and ratification of annual budget and programmes, submission of the share of revenue to the provincial government on the monthly basis, submission of the mid-term budget review to the federal Ministry of Finance, revenue collection, planning for local development, school enrolment, pass out rate, and immunization. 

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 22 February 2024.