KATHMANDU, Aug 9: Lawmakers have criticized the local body restructuring commission for proposing new local units without proper study and consultation at local levels. 

Speaking at the special session during the House meeting on Monday lawmakers from major and fringe political parties came down heavily against the commission for adopting unscientific and impractical criteria while proposing new local units.

NC lawmakers Bharat Khadka and Ramhari Khatiwada demanded revision in the proposal of the commission that calls for creating 565 local units. "If we fail to restructure local bodies as per the aspiration of the people, it may lead the new constitution toward failure and non-implementation," said NC lawmaker Khadka. 

Similarly, Khatiwada demanded developing new set of criteria while delineating local bodies. "The commission has not consulted with the people's representatives and the proposed delineation of local units does not seem to extend government services to people's doorstep," said Khatiwada.

CPN-UML lawmaker Yagya Raj Sunuwar, speaking during zero hour, stressed taking geography and the will of local people into consideration while delineating new local units.

"Geography and comfort of local people must be considered while restructuring local units," said Sunuwar. 

The restructuring commission formed to determine the number and boundaries of local bodies under the new federal set up has proposed 565 new local units after merging different village development committees and municipalities in the new federal units. 

Speaking at the House meeting, Yogendra Chaudhary of Madhesi Peoples' Rights Forum Democratic and Brijesh Gupta of Tarai Madhes Democratic Party also claimed that proposed local units will not let people to enjoy government services at local level. "We must hold serious discussions on this issue so that people can feel the presence of local government at their doorsteps," said Chaudhary. 

Gutpa demanded to stop the work of the commission until political parties find new criteria about restructuring the local units. 

Aindra Sunder Nembang of CPN (Marxist Leninist) said that the proposed local units were against the spirit of the new constitution. Prem Bahadur Singh of Samajbadi Janata Party also demanded a revision to criteria for delineation of local units.

 
• lawmakers
 
• local body
 
• reconstructing commission