Ashika’s Response to Local Governments: Local Autonomy Is Not a License for Natural Resource Exploitation

March 19, Kathmandu – Ashika Tamang, elected representative from Dhading-1 under the National Independent Party (RASWAPA), has responded by stating that local autonomy does not grant a license for natural resource exploitation. She issued these remarks in response to a joint statement released by 13 local governments of Dhading on Friday, which she addressed through Facebook.

“The joint statement recently issued by the heads of 13 local governments in Dhading has seriously caught my attention,” she wrote. “The statement references Article 232(1) of the Constitution, discussing cooperation and coordination. However, ironically, under the guise of coordination, established laws and respected Supreme Court orders have been blatantly challenged.”

Ashika then outlined her position in four points based on the Constitution, tax systems, court orders, and environmental justice. In her first point, she noted the absence of a setting for ‘coordination’ and explained Article 232’s intent: “Any exploitation that violates federal law, ignores environmental standards, and extracts the core of rivers must never be condoned.”

“Local autonomy does not mean an independent state; it is merely the right to serve the people within the bounds of the Constitution,” she emphasized.

In her second point, she addressed tax-related matters, and in the third, she referred to Supreme Court orders and the 2020 standards, stating, “If these standards are not met, such actions are illegal, and protecting them would amount to contempt of court.”

“Does the right to levy taxes allow one to violate the Constitution? Can we disregard the orders of the honorable Supreme Court?” she questioned. “I am glad that the 13 local government heads have united to speak and oppose me. Now, I urge you all to unite just as strongly to develop Dhading and make it corruption-free.”