Author: space4knews

May 3 (Jestha 20), Kathmandu – The government is preparing to dissolve, integrate, transfer, and restructure 55 burdensome and ineffective government bodies at the federal level.

According to the study task force report, 25 agencies will be dissolved, 6 agencies integrated, and 6 agencies transferred to provincial governments. Additionally, preparations are underway to restructure 18 organizations as outlined in the report submitted to the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers.

The government’s ongoing 100-point agenda includes provisions to form a committee to evaluate ineffective, redundant, and financially burdensome boards, committees, plans, and structures. At the federal level, structures deemed unnecessary will be classified for dissolution, integration, transfer, or restructuring.

Accordingly, a task force led by Kiran Sharma, Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office, was formed to study these needs and submit a report to the government.

Some recommendations of the task force have already been implemented, while others are in progress.

At the joint session of the Federal Parliament last Friday, Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle highlighted the task force report and announced plans to simplify these burdensome government structures.

He stated that 31 bodies will be dissolved, 6 integrated, and 6 transferred to provincial and local levels, estimating savings of approximately 2 billion Nepali rupees from this initiative.

Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson Hemraj Aryal confirmed that the cabinet has authorized the implementation of the study task force report.

“The report has already been submitted to the cabinet, and a decision has been made to implement it,” Aryal said. “Relevant ministries will implement the report within their respective agencies.”

Agencies to Be Dissolved

The government plans to dissolve the Cotton Development Committee, established by order of the Development Committee. Similarly, the Livestock Development Farm Operations Fund and the National Farmers Commission will also be dissolved.

The Minimum Wage Determination Committee, formed to establish a permanent structure for journalists’ remuneration, is also slated for dissolution. Related provisions of the Labor Journalist Act will be amended accordingly.

The Central Project Unit, responsible for educational structures and established two years ago after the earthquake’s tenth anniversary—with an extended mandate until Baishakh 25 (April 8)—will also be dissolved.

The government plans to dissolve infrastructure development committees for Bardibas Medical College, and the infrastructure projects of Butwal and Surkhet Medical Colleges.

The Infrastructure Development Unit and the Kaligandaki-Tinau Multi-purpose Diversion Project will also be dissolved. Although the project intended to divert water from the Kaligandaki to the Tinau River to generate electricity, it will be discontinued.

The Dangerous Landslide Management Project, Livestock and Integrated Crop Management Program, and Water Resource Conservation Project will also be dissolved.

The Local Development Training Institute is also included in the dissolution list.

The task force recommended dissolving the Minority Community Upliftment Development Committee, the Marginalized, Backward, and Dalit Class Upliftment Development Committee, and the Backward Communities Upliftment Development Committee.

The units implementing Chure Conservation Plans and Programs will also be dissolved, as these temporary structures were established for seven years and have exceeded their designated timeframes.

The Central Law Library Development Committee under the ministry and the waterways projects under the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure will also be dissolved. The Land Development Recycling Fund and Municipal Development Committees under the Ministry of Urban Development will be dissolved as well.

The Social Welfare Council and National Child Rights Council are on the dissolution list, along with the International Cricket Ground and Sports Village Infrastructure Development Committee under the Youth Minister in Dhangadhi, Kailali.

According to spokesperson Aryal, the ministries concerned will manage the assets, liabilities, and staff of the dissolved agencies. Ministries will also facilitate the adjustment of two or more agencies as needed.

Many Bodies to Be Integrated

The government is preparing to integrate several dozen government bodies. The decision to integrate the Nepal Mountain Training Academy and Nepal Tourism and Hotel Management Academy was made on Baishakh 11 (April 24).

The Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Committee and Nepal Transport and Warehouse Limited will also be integrated. Some agencies under the Kathmandu Valley Development Authority will also be merged. Funds such as the Women’s Self-Reliance Fund are included in this plan.

Three agencies managing Kathmandu’s water supply will be consolidated.

The Kathmandu Valley Drinking Water Management Board, Kathmandu Valley Drinking Water Limited, the central office of the Water Supply Department, and the Water Tariff Determination Commission will be integrated.

The task force report states, “A Kathmandu Valley Drinking Water Authority will be formed to manage the overall water supply of the valley.”

The Youth and Small Entrepreneur Self-Employment Fund and Industrial Business Development Institution will also be integrated.

Agencies to Be Transferred

The Terai Madhesh Prosperity Program will be transferred to Madhesh Province. The Koshi Regional Hospital Development Committee, Sagarmatha Regional Hospital Development Committee, and Narayani Regional Hospital Development Committee will also be transferred.

Various road projects will be handed over. Federal-level provincial road projects will be transferred to provincial governments.

Roads such as Butwal Link Road, Lele–Chandanpur–Thuladurlung Road, Damak Gauradah Gauriganj Link Road, and Dadeldhura Link Road will be transferred.

Offices related to water supply and sewerage management will also be transferred. More than half a dozen water supply schemes have already come under provincial governments.

Approximately Fifteen Agencies to Be Restructured

The government plans to restructure nearly fifteen agencies, including the Kalimati Fruit and Vegetable Market Development Committee, National Tea and Coffee Development Board, National Dairy Development Board, and National Agricultural Modernization Program.

The Large Janakpur Area Development Council and Buddhist Philosophy Promotion and Monastery Development Committee are also on this list.

Several projects, programs, and offices under the Ministry of Energy will be restructured.

The Sunbinayak National Zoological Park under the Ministry of Forests and Environment and Bhanubhakta Zoological Park in Tanahun will also undergo restructuring. The task force has recommended restructuring projects of the Forest Product Development Committee.

About six medical education development institutions are also planned to be restructured.

The Medical Science National Institute operated by Bir Hospital, B.P. Koirala Health Science Institute, Patan Health Science Institute, Karnali Health Science Institute, Pokhara Health Science Institute, and Rapti Health Science Institute will be restructured.

The Insect-borne Disease Research and Training Center Development Committee is also planned for restructuring. Under the Ministry of Industry, the Trade and Export Promotion Center; under the Ministry of Labor, the Foreign Employment Board; under the Ministry of Law, the Law Library Management Committee; under the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure, the Rail Board; and under the Ministry of Federal Affairs, the National Indigenous Upliftment Institute are also slated for restructuring.

Two months ago, the government announced its 100-point roadmap, which included a comprehensive evaluation of existing boards, committees, plans, and institutional structures to dissolve, integrate, or restructure as needed.

The task force led by Secretary Sharma included members from the Ministries of Finance, Industry, Commerce, and Federal Affairs.

According to Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson Hemraj Aryal, during implementation, the relevant ministries will handle legal amendments, human resource management, and property management. In some cases, if ministries cannot decide, further cabinet approval may be required.

May 2, Dhangadhi – Construction of the one-and-a-half-kilometer Hulaki Road section in Khapti Nala area, Ward No. 8, Belauri Municipality, Kanchanpur, has stalled due to a border dispute with India.

Out of the 62-kilometer stretch from Punarbas to Daiji, initiated in 2016, the road in this area remains unpaved because of continuous obstruction by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF). Local residents have been demanding resolution of the dispute to allow road construction for the past nine years.

However, as this concerns a bilateral issue, no decision has yet been reached regarding the disputed land. The road under construction is located just 20 meters inside Nepal’s territory from Nepal-India border pillar number 778/1(38), but Indian authorities persistently impede progress.

For years, Nepalese residents have been cultivating and using land on both sides near the boundary pillar, paying land revenue to the Nepal government.

Following Prime Minister Balen Shah’s statement claiming “Nepal has also encroached on Indian land,” locals engaged in the road construction and dispute resolution struggle in Belauri have grown increasingly frustrated.

Locals had voted for the National Independent Party (Raswapa) hoping for a resolution, but the Prime Minister’s remarks have left them disheartened.

Bhuvan Chaudhary of Belauri Municipality-8, who frequently uses the stalled Hulaki Road, complained about the difficulties caused by the Indian side’s blockade.

“There are many more parcels of land with ownership certificates across this road, which we still cultivate. Yet, the Indian BSF frequently obstructs us, claiming the land belongs to India, preventing road construction,” Chaudhary said. “If even the Prime Minister says we have encroached, how can the issue be resolved?”

Chakra Bahadur Kathayat, a local resident from Belauri Municipality-10, Sadakghat, stated that although the land has been under Nepalese use for years, it appears on Indian maps, causing ongoing obstructions and hindering road construction. He also reported that some lands with Nepalese ownership certificates have been illegally occupied by Indian citizens and criticized the Prime Minister’s statement as not reflecting public sentiment.

“This issue is not limited to the Hulaki Road; Indian encroachment extends to lands with legitimate Nepalese land ownership certificates. The Prime Minister’s remarks in parliament do not align with the understanding of the local community,” Kathayat said. “It is painful to hear such statements when we border residents are already suffering.”

Kathayat reported that since 2024 B.S. (1967 A.D.), many people in Belauri have suffered hardships as India has occupied lands officially titled to Nepalese owners.

He added that the Prime Minister’s statement has heightened tensions among locals. “We are already under pressure, and such remarks increase our fears. We worry further encroachment could occur,” he explained.

Hari Chand Thakuri, a brick kiln operator near Nepal-India Pillar No. 38 and long-time advocate in the border dispute, serves as the deputy chair of the Nepal-India Border Concern Committee. He expressed concern and anger over the Prime Minister’s remarks.

“The answer given by the Prime Minister in parliament was incorrect. Nepal has not encroached on Indian land,” Thakuri stated. “However, it is true that illegal occupation is taking place. We local residents oppose the Prime Minister’s statement strongly.”

He questioned the reliability of leaders who claim to recover territories like Kalapani and Susta yet fail to secure lands that Nepalese locals continuously cultivate and legally own.

“If we have to abandon the land we have cultivated, how can these leaders be trusted to reclaim Kalapani and Susta?” Thakuri asked.

Thakuri also said he had believed Prime Minister Balen’s commitment to equitable negotiations with India and reclamation of encroached land, but his recent statements have disproved that hope.

India’s claim, based on a pre-2002 map, asserts some territory that lies within Nepalese borders under the new map. The current dispute surrounds an area approximately 250 meters inside Nepal beyond Pillar No. 38, which India has encroached upon causing ongoing problems.

June 2, Kathmandu – Future Star Secondary School in ward no. 8 of Suryabinayak Municipality, Bhaktapur, remains in uncertainty due to the local government’s refusal to grant transfer approval for the past eight years. Until 2015 (Nepali calendar 2072), the school operated in Ward no. 3, Bhaktapur Municipality, formerly ward no. 16.

According to the school operator Ramesh Suwal, the school needed relocation following the earthquake. After discussions with representatives of Suryabinayak and locals in Khapi, they decided to operate the school there.

“The earthquake necessitated moving the school. The locals of Khapi welcomed this, so we decided to operate the school there,” Suwal explained. On January 23, 2019 (Magh 10, 2075), he applied to Suryabinayak Municipality for transfer approval.

The then ward chairperson of ward no. 8, Kiran Thapa Magar, conducted a field assessment and recommended to the municipality that operating the school there would cause no issues. “As per regulations, the ward recommended the transfer and operation in this ward,” he said.

However, in 2019 (2076) with the implementation of the new constitution and the first local elections, the process became complicated and was delayed. In 2020 (2077), based on the ward’s recommendation, the municipality issued a 35-day public notice regarding the transfer on July 11.

The notice stated, “If there are objections to the transfer, submit a written petition within 35 days; otherwise, it will be accepted as per rules.”

No objections came forward, raising expectations that Suwal would receive approval. However, no decision was made between March and April 2021. “They said the decision would come soon, but it did not,” Suwal lamented.

In 2021 (2078), Suryabinayak Municipality requested a recommendation from Bhaktapur Municipality. Bhaktapur then issued a 35-day public notice opposing the transfer on July 18, 2022 (Shrawan 2, 2079), but by October 22, 2022 (Asoj 6), the recommendation was granted.

After receiving Bhaktapur’s recommendation, it was declared that the school would no longer be under Bhaktapur’s jurisdiction. Suryabinayak Municipality also issued a 35-day notice for the transfer process, which prompted Suwal to agree with Bhaktapur’s conditions.

After submitting all documentation to the education committee in Suryabinayak and awaiting approval at a meeting scheduled in April 2023 (Baisakh 2080), no decision was reached.

Suwal said, “The municipality imposed a new condition requiring ownership of a house or land in the name of the company or shareholders. But we have been operating the school by leasing land for five years under the previous rules.”

“All previous recommendations were obtained and the transfer done accordingly, but at the time of approval the rules changed,” he complained.

Without approval, Suwal has been left uncertain and observed that another school nearby was recently transferred and received approval within two years. He claimed, “Some officials close to the municipality influenced that outcome. We have not received approval for eight years.”

However, Suryabinayak Municipality denies any discrimination, stating that the school does not meet the criteria. Municipality Chief Waseudev Thapa said, “There is no retaliation; all Nepalis are treated equally.” Nonetheless, Suwal maintains his grievances.

Due to the unresolved status, Future Star Secondary School has been conducting students’ exams under Bhaktapur Municipality’s jurisdiction to ensure exam continuity. “Students’ exams have not been stopped; this is a right guaranteed by the constitution,” he said.

After requests and pressures to all relevant authorities regarding the transfer failed, Suryabinayak Municipality issued a notice to close the school on April 21, 2025 (Baisakh 9, 2082).

“They ordered closure without unnecessary discussions or clarifications,” Suwal complained. He also accused local representatives of supporting another school to pressure his school to shut down.

He questioned, “Despite ward recommendations and the municipality’s 35-day notice, why was approval withheld?”

The municipality head responded, “Whatever actions the ward takes, the education committee, which I chair, makes the final decision.”

Having failed to secure approval despite numerous efforts with local representatives, Suwal has resorted to the courts. “On May 28, 2026 (Baisakh 14, 2083), we filed a petition at the High Court in Patan with three demands: annul the municipality’s blocking decision, cancel the related letter, and obtain the transfer approval. Even if the municipality denies justice, we hope the court will grant it,” he said.

Currently, Future Star Secondary School educates students from playgroup up to class 10. The school operates on a rented 2.5 ropani (approx. 1,350 sq. meters) plot and employs 27 teachers and staff.

“Our constitutional rights to operate our business and profession have been obstructed,” Suwal emphasized as he continues to seek justice through the courts.