Health, education, employment our priorities: Mayor Lama

Mina Kumari Lama is the first woman to be elected as the mayor of Hetauda, the only sub-metropolitan city in Bagmati Province, and also the provincial capital. In the 2022 local elections, she secured 23,075 votes representing the CPN (Unified Socialist), defeating CPN-UML candidate Ananta Prasad Poudel by a margin of 2,167 votes. Previously, Lama had served as deputy mayor of Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City on behalf of the UML.

Following her election as mayor, Lama has been leading various initiatives for Hetauda’s development. In an interview with our correspondent Anil Parajuli, she talks about her vision, plans, progress and challenges the city faces. Excerpts:

 What are the main plans of Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City ?

Our priority was to provide citizens with fundamental facilities such as healthcare, education, employment, production, and household infrastructure. In the domain of health, we have established 22 health facilities across all 19 wards and completed the construction of ward office buildings. In the field of education, efforts are underway to consolidate community schools to reinforce their capabilities. Preparations are also in progress for a systematic water supply. Overall, we have prioritised the essential needs of citizens and are proceeding accordingly.

What are the major problems in Hetauda?

One challenge is the Asian Highway. Unlike in other municipalities, construction here has been delayed, preventing Hetauda from being transformed as expected. As the provincial capital, traffic pressure has increased, and congestion has become an issue. Although some works have not yet shown visible results, we are focused on urban beautification and infrastructure upgrade. We are nearly at the stage of providing every household with roads, drinking water, and electricity. Currently, only 7 percent of households remain without access to individual water taps. Around 60 consumer committees are distributing water, while the Water Supply Board serves 28,000 households.

What progress has been made so far ?

We have completed the construction of 22 buildings to extend health facilities, set up birthing centres in four locations, and started services at Hatiya Hospital and Padampokhari Hospital. We have distributed 10,000 liters of free drinking water to 8,000 households. Regular health camps and awareness programmes are also being held. In education, we introduced a five-year policy, merging schools and linking them with transportation. A merger process has begun to form a ‘mega school’ by integrating two large community schools, Bhutandevi and Adhunik.

Additionally, under municipal guardianship, we have launched five-year bachelor’s programmes in Law and Agricultural Science. Scholarships and support are being provided to underprivileged students, including those pursuing MBBS. Hostel facilities are available for students from remote areas. While talking about healthcare, we have coordinated services for free blood supply, kidney dialysis, ICU, and maternal and child intensive care. Two municipal hospitals and basic health facilities in all wards are now operational. Hetauda has been declared a child-friendly city, with initiatives also underway for women-friendly and bright-city concepts. Long-term clean water supply and proper sewage management plans are advancing.

What challenges have you faced in your work?

Responsibilities differ according to the position. The Local Government Operations Act outlines separate roles for the mayor and deputy mayor. My approach has been to make difficult tasks manageable and ensure all work complies with the law.

Have you received support from other local representatives ?

Yes, there is strong cooperation. While debates and disagreements naturally occur in discussions about Hetauda’s future, we ultimately reach consensus and have been able to implement our decisions.

How did you feel about defeating male contenders in the election ?

I never viewed myself primarily as a woman candidate, but simply as a candidate. I contested with confidence, even against veteran competitors, without considering myself weak. 

What challenges do women leaders face ?

I have taken this matter very seriously because, as a woman in a leadership position, I have realised that in some cases it actually becomes easier. In various discussions, I noticed that people tend to avoid creating too many obstacles for women. However, in the beginning, there was a perception that women could be suppressed, that perhaps they were incapable, or that raising one’s voice loudly could silence them.

But after taking on the responsibilities of mayor, I found that by working fairly, lawfully, and through coordination and cooperation, even complex tasks can be accomplished with ease. I have personally experienced that collaboration and teamwork play a crucial role in accomplishing any task.

What is your dream for Hetauda?

My top priority is ensuring that every household has access to essential services, such as roads, water, health and education.

We want citizens to feel that the government is close to them. Ward offices are now empowered not only to provide recommendations but also to handle construction and social transformation. Each ward manages programmes up to Rs. 2 million, with its own budget and staff. Only matters requiring higher-level authority are brought to the sub-metropolitan office. This has made services more accessible and efficient.

We are also promoting agriculture and entrepreneurship, such as dragon fruit, guava, banana, and rice pocket zones, along with traditional seed conservation. Small industries like textiles, garments, turmeric processing, and local sweets are running. Women are being linked with entrepreneurship through the establishment of an ‘Entrepreneurship and Souvenir House.’ A new bus terminal in Ward No. 10 is in its final phase, alongside plans for the Hetauda Complex. Likewise, the Rs. 4 billion project for water treatment and sewage management is also on the way.

How should Hetauda be recognised?

Hetauda is known as a healthy and clean city, and we are working to maintain that image. Streetlights have been installed in various parts of the city, and Hetauda is also recognised as an industrial hub. Moving forward, however, we aim to establish Hetauda as an educational hub. 

Geographically, Hetauda is a beautiful city located in the heart of the country, close to the federal capital and the nation’s gateway, Birgunj. With its favorable climate, easy transportation access, and strong business potential, we want to make Hetauda one of the most desirable cities to live in.

Our goal is to make Hetauda a safe, clean and prosperous city that promotes social harmony and humanity. Since the vibrancy of any city depends on economic opportunities and activities and citizens’ living standards are tied to productivity and economic expansion, we are working to boost industrial activities and ensure that every household is engaged in some form of productive work.

At the same time, we envision Hetauda as a well-planned city with high-quality infrastructure, inclusive facilities, and a welcoming atmosphere for people from all walks of life.

What are your future plans?

We are working to establish more campuses to make Hetauda an academic hub, while also promoting tourism. Plans are underway to connect Hetauda with Kathmandu and Kolkata. A study is being conducted to link Pashupatinath in Kathmandu with Kolkata through Hetauda, Thaha Municipality, and Bhimphedi-Indrasarovar, integrating historic sites to attract tourists.

Any final words?

From my experience so far, I have realised that basic needs are more important than grand structures. Once we ensure these, we can move forward by connecting citizens, youth and women in particular, with entrepreneurship. But this cannot be achieved by the municipality alone; it requires collective support from all residents. With their cooperation, we will gradually fulfill the promises made during the election.