Illiteracy, unemployment are our challenges

What are the significant achievements made in the first two years of your second term?

In my second term, the municipality has prioritised education, health and agriculture. We improved the infrastructure of 29 schools, attracting more parents and students. We resolved 90 per cent of the issues related to vacancies and appointments of headmasters. We have made significant changes in the health sector. The 15-bed Rangeli Hospital now treats more than 600 patients daily, and 19 medical officers and specialist doctors are providing round-the-clock health services. It is providing surgery services, a five-bed ICU service, and free medicine distribution. 

Likewise, it has been providing X-ray, blood bank and post-mortem services as well. Preparations are underway to provide free dialysis services for kidney patients after the completion of the new building of the hospital. Discussions are going on with the federal and provincial governments for infrastructural and human resource support. If the government does not provide support, we aim to provide dialysis services using internal resources.

What have you done in the areas of infrastructure, roads and irrigation?

Our municipality falls under those with low internal revenue. With the support of the federal and provincial governments, a new building for the Rangeli Hospital is being constructed for Rs. 150 million. A mega project to build a dam on the Kayar River, costing Rs. 40 million, which will provide irrigation to 10,000 bighas of fields is at its final stage. A project of Rs. 370 million for the management of Dohaman Bazaar with the support of the federal government is also at its final stage. Additionally, a drinking water project of Rs. 320 million is being constructed in Ward No. 1, 3, 8 and 5. With the completion of this project, all wards in the municipality will be connected with the drinking water except for Ward Nos. 2 and 5. We have expanded 5,000 electric poles at our own expense, ensuring that every household in the municipality has access to electricity.

What are the foundations for making the municipality economically prosperous?

There is potential in agriculture and animal husbandry. However, those who have land do not engage in farming and those who want to do farming do not have land. Farmers have their own sets of problems and often face difficulties in selling milk. We have initiated partnership programmes to make farmers mechanised and technology-friendly. Additionally, the municipality has made arrangements for free electricity for farmers while extracting boring water. 

What is the condition of internal resources?

When I became the mayor in 2017, the internal revenue of the municipality was Rs. 4 million. Now it has reached Rs. 28 million. Meanwhile, municipalities in the north are mobilising river sources while we are facing damages caused by these rivers. While preparing a budget of Rs. 720 million, we even don’t have a source of Rs. 30 million. 

What are the challenges and issues in the development sector? 

Our main challenges are illiteracy, poverty and unemployment. People are not being able to send their children to school due to poverty. Many residents do not have citizenship so they cannot access any benefits other than those provided by the municipality. We often face opposition to good decisions. River erosion and lack of embankments are also significant challenges. The migration of youths to India and third countries is another major issue.

What efforts have been made to preserve the language and culture of minority Dalit and Madhesi communities?

We have organised training programmes for the Santhal tribe to preserve their language. The municipality has provided scholarships for 36 students from underprivileged communities to study Bachelor of Civil Engineering. We have also provided free health insurance to 2,100 families. 

Is there anything that other municipalities in the country should learn from Rangeli Municipality?

For the first time in the country, we are establishing an integrated disaster management centre with the cooperation of four municipalities. Once this Rs. 125 million project is implemented, the four municipalities will not need to have separate fire engines, firefighting equipment, hearses and ambulances. This will significantly reduce the municipalities' financial burden. We have planted and nurtured 5,000 trees to add greenery to Rangeli, and we are preparing to plant 2,000 saplings.