Detailed Information on the Process of Adjusting the Number and Boundaries of Local Levels
The government is moving forward with the process of adjusting the number and boundaries of local levels across the country. The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration has prepared a draft standard and is seeking suggestions on the matter. This standard stipulates that decisions will be based on population, geography, administrative convenience, infrastructure development, economic capacity, natural resources, and linguistic-cultural composition. When changing the number and boundaries of local levels, a committee led by the District Coordination Committee must be formed and submit a report within three months. (Kathmandu, 6 Baisakh)
Under this process, the government has drafted and publicly released criteria related to the reclassification of rural and urban municipalities for feedback. The criteria include the adjustment of the number and boundaries of rural municipalities, municipalities, and wards, as well as the merger of units or the reclassification of municipalities. According to the proposal, all seven provincial governments are required to provide suggestions on these standards.
The draft identifies six key bases for adjustments or mergers of rural municipalities and municipalities. Among these, population, geography, and administrative convenience are the primary factors. In addition, the status of infrastructure development, economic capacity, and availability of natural resources will be considered when determining changes in number and boundaries. Linguistic, cultural, and community composition also form part of the criteria. According to Kalanidhi Devkota, Executive Director of the Nepal Municipal Association, the ministry has received 97 requests related to ward division and boundary adjustments from Tribeni Municipality in Bajura to Ilam.
In an article published a few days ago, Devkota stated that many standards were not adhered to during boundary changes made a decade ago, and some decisions lacked logical basis. For example, although Simikot in Humla, Chame in Manang, Jomsom in Mustang, and Dhunche in Rasuwa are district headquarters, these places are still classified as rural municipalities. Conversely, in Rautahat, 16 municipalities were established solely based on population. He said it is natural to question why district headquarters remain as rural municipalities and why dozens of municipalities were created in some districts based only on population criteria.
