'Federal govt can't interfere in work of provinces, local levels'

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Mar. 13: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel has said that it would be against the spirit of the constitution and federalism for the federal government to carry out the work done by the local levels and provinces.

In a discussion held by the Ministry of Finance with the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation regarding the budget for the fiscal year 2025/16 on Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister Paudel said that the federal government should no longer do the work of local and provincial governments.

In the constitution issued by the Constituent Assembly in 2072 BS, the sole rights of the federal government are mentioned in Schedule 5, the sole rights of the provinces in Schedule 6, and the sole rights of the local levels in Schedule 8, and the common rights of the federation and provinces in Schedule 7. 

Similarly, Schedule 9 mentions the common rights of the federation, provinces and local levels. 

The authorities mentioned in the constitution have been further elaborated in the work elaboration report.

DPM Paudel urged the Ministry to present the programmes in the new budget only within the limits of the federal government.

He also urged to submit budget and programme proposals addressing issues such as cooperatives, land fragmentation, barren land, temporary settlements, protection of public land, land banks, and digitalisation of records.

The Finance Secretary, Secretary of the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation and departmental heads were present in the discussion.

The Ministry of Finance had previously held discussions with the Ministries of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Ministry of Health and Populations, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Ministry of Water Supply, Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development in regard to the preparation of the new budget.