Deputy Chiefs of All 13 Local Governments in Dhading Demand Guaranteed Participation in Budget Reallocation

The deputy chiefs of all 13 local governments in Dhading have called for guaranteed participation in budget reallocation processes. They urged an end to political and gender-based trends that undermine the role of deputy chiefs. Additionally, they demanded that judicial committees be established as ‘first instance courts’ and be granted monitoring authority over public procurement procedures. April 26, Dhading.

At a joint meeting, the deputy chiefs and vice-chairpersons of all 13 local governments in Dhading opposed the practice where only the local chief makes decisions during budget reallocation, stressing the need to ensure their own participation. They called for an end to political and gender-based tendencies that weaken the roles of deputy chiefs and vice-chairpersons. They also demanded mandatory involvement of deputy chiefs and vice-chairpersons in budget amendment and reallocation processes.

The gathering was convened on Saturday under the coordination of Dhuniveshi Municipality, focusing on capacity development, knowledge exchange, and legal orientation. During the event, the participants issued the “Seven-Point Dhuniveshi Declaration-2079.” Reviewing challenges and opportunities observed in the effective implementation of rights and responsibilities granted by Nepal’s Constitution and the Local Government Operation Act, 2074, the deputy chiefs strongly criticized the executive-centered power structure.

They also urged the establishment of legal officer positions in every local government to transform judicial committees into accessible and effective “first instance courts” for the general public. Furthermore, they requested provincial and federal governments to assist in developing legal, technical, and institutional capacities for this purpose. The deputy chiefs from all 13 local governments demanded effective monitoring authority for deputy chiefs over public procurement and tender processes governed by the Public Procurement Act. They emphasized institutionalizing the balancing and cooperative role of deputy chiefs within the local governance system.