Municipalities in Dhading Protest Against Directive Issued by Ashika Tamang
News Summary
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- Heads of 13 local units in Dhading have urged the government to ensure the exercise of exclusive rights granted by the constitution.
- Ashika Tamang, Member of Parliament elected from Dhading Constituency No. 1, has issued directives to stop illegal sand excavation and unauthorized tax collection.
- The local units have resolved to strongly reject symbolic administrative interference into their areas of authority.
March 18, Kathmandu – Local governments in Dhading have demanded that the government ensure unobstructed exercise of the exclusive rights granted by the constitution.
In a meeting held on Thursday, the heads, chairpersons, and vice-chairpersons of 13 local units in Dhading decided to draw the government’s attention to strengthen mutual respect, trust, cooperation, and coordination between the federal, provincial, and local levels in line with the spirit of federalism.
The meeting was chaired by Bhim Prasad Dhungana, Mayor of Nilkantha Municipality.
Member of Parliament Ashika Tamang, elected from Dhading Constituency No. 1, recently issued directives to the local units in Dhading, which she also communicated via social media.
She instructed the immediate halt of illegal sand and gravel excavation from the Trishuli River in Beni Ghat Rorang Rural Municipality-9.
“As an elected representative from Dhading Constituency No. 1, I categorically reject any illegal tax collection such as ‘potka tax’ or similar levies on any highways within my constituency from now on,” she said while issuing a clear directive based on constitutional authority. “I order the concerned municipalities and stakeholders to immediately stop such practices.”
However, the elected representatives of local units in Dhading have expressed opposition to this directive. Ashika Tamang had earlier sent a letter dated December 18 (Nepali date: 3 Chaitra), document number 2850, to the municipalities of Dhading.
“The local governments’ meeting today resolved to strongly respond to what they consider an administrative attempt to interfere with their constitutional rights through this letter and see this as the beginning of symbolic intrusion into their jurisdiction,” stated the press release issued by the local representatives.
