Bharatpur declared best-performing metropolitan city

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Feb. 16: Bharatpur Metropolitan City has been declared the best-performing metropolitan city in the country.

According to results published by the National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission, Bharatpur outperformed six other metropolitan cities across the country. This marks the third consecutive year that Bharatpur has secured the top position.

According to Jagannath Aryal, the Deputy Director of Bharatpur Metropolitan City, the performance-based fiscal equalisation grant provided by the federal government to local governments will increase in the upcoming fiscal year 2025/26.

The evaluation was based on 17 indicators, including expenditure management, audit findings, revenue-sharing mechanisms, use of the local treasury system, periodic planning and budget approval within the given timeframe. 

The assessment also considered whether municipalities allocated 40 per cent of collected revenue from land registration fees, entertainment taxes and advertisement taxes to the provincial government monthly through an online portal.

As per the commission’s report, Bharatpur Metropolitan City scored 76.2 per cent, followed by Biratnagar with 73.5 per cent, Lalitpur with 66.7 per cent, Kathmandu with 54.3 per cent, Pokhara with 51.5 per cent and Birgunj with 43.1 per cent.

Among the seven municipalities in Chitwan District, Bharatpur ranked first with 76.29 per cent, while Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality secured 72 per cent, Ratnanagar Municipality 70.1 per cent, Madi Municipality 69.1 per cent, Khairahani Municipality 66.8 per cent, Kalika Municipality 64.3 per cent and Rapti Municipality 43.3 per cent.

Mayor of the Bharatpur Metropolitan City Renu Dahal claimed that Bharatpur has consistently excelled in urban infrastructure, sports and judicial case resolutions among Nepal’s 753 local governments. She expressed gratitude to elected representatives and municipal employees for their dedication, calling this achievement a matter of pride for all residents of Bharatpur.

Meanwhile, our Tanahu correspondent Amar Raj Naharki reported that Bhanu Municipality in Tanahun has achieved the highest performance score among the district’s 10 municipalities in the fiscal year 2023/24. Bhanu Municipality secured 71.4 points, placing it at the top of the district ranking, according to the commission.

Other municipalities in the district including Myagde Municipality secured 68.4 points, Byas Municipality 56.4 points and Shuklagandaki Municipality 52.4 points. 

Among rural municipalities, Bandipur scored 59.8 points, Myagde 59.5 points, Rishing 56.3 points, Aanbukhaireni 56 points and Ghiring 43.2 points.

The evaluation was based on 17 indicators, including timely budget presentation and approval, submission of revenue reports to provincial and federal governments, and performance in education, health and financial management, including both operational and capital expenditures.

Similarly, our Gulmi correspondent Ramesh Bishwokarma reported that Dhurgkot Rural Municipality in Gulmi has been ranked the best-performing rural municipality.

According to the preliminary results published by the National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission, Dhurgkot scored 76.7 per cent, making it the highest-performing among Gulmi’s two municipalities and 10 rural municipalities. It also ranked 10th nationwide among Nepal’s 753 local governments.

Within Lumbini Province, Ruru Kshetra Rural Municipality secured the second position with 76.2 per cent, while Chhatrakot Rural Municipality ranked third with 74.8 per cent.

Five local governments from Gulmi made it to the top 10 list in Lumbini Province. Resunga Municipality ranked sixth with 74.4 per cent, while Malika Rural Municipality, which secured 73.6 per cent, was ranked ninth.

Other local governments in Gulmi including Madane Rural Municipality secured 68.9 per cent, Gulmidarbar Rural Municipality 64.2 per cent, Satyawati Rural Municipality 63.6 per cent, Chandrakot Rural Municipality 62.6 per cent, Musikot Municipality 61.4 per cent, Kaligandaki Rural Municipality 60.2 per cent and Isma Rural Municipality 56.6 per cent.