Standards define the basis for jurisdiction of projects for three layers of government
KATHMANDU, May 26: The National Planning Commission (NPC) has finalized the standards for classification and separation of projects and programs to be implemented by three tiers of government in the new federal set up.
The new standards lay out criteria and basis for any project or program, giving clear jurisdictions and responsibilities to concerned bodies. Based on the constitutional provisions and intergovernmental fiscal management act, national resources and fiscal commission act, and other existing policy frameworks, the NPC has introduced standards for the delegation, transfer, and operation of existing and new projects and programs in the new federal set up.
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According to the NPC officials, development projects and programs will now be shared between the central, provincial, and local governments along with resources based on these standards.
The new standards come in the wake of growing confusions and rifts between the federal, and provincial, and local governments over the jurisdiction of several projects and programs.
Many projects were again transferred to the central government after the provincial governments were found to be reluctant to own and implement them. During inter-governmental council meeting held in April, chief ministers of provinces had complained that the federal government had transferred the projects without giving adequate budget to the provincial governments.
According to the new standards, the projects that the federal government decides through a cabinet meeting will be implemented from the center. Similarly, new projects operated with the support of development partners, except those with whom the agreement has already been signed, will now be implemented by the respective levels.
Projects with multi-year contract will be gradually transferred to the respective levels by enhancing the capacity of provincial and local level governments. National pride projects and projects/program of national strategy and importance will come under the domain of the federal government.
Similarly, another condition for the handover and transfer of the projects or the jurisdiction has been set based on the areas and sectors. Under the energy, hydropower, and irrigation sectors, management, construction, research, repair of large scale irrigation projects ( above 5,000 hectares in Terai, 100 hectares in hilly and 50 hectares in mountain), construction and coordination of projects that are related to more than one provinces, and hydropower projects above the capacity of 20 MW will be under the jurisdiction of central government.
Similarly, mid-level irrigation projects with capacity of 200 to 500 hectares in Terai, 50 to 100 hectares in hilly and 25 to 50 hectares in mountain areas will be implemented by the provincial government.
Province-level hydropower project with capacity of 3 MW to 20 MW will be under the provinces, according to the new standards. Rural water resources management, hydropower projects up to the capacity of 3 MW and rural and community electrification projects will be implemented by local level governments. Under physical infrastructure and transportation, roads that have been listed under the Schedule 5 of the Constitution of Nepal, fast-track and road maintenance and roads connecting provincial headquarters, and roads connecting northern custom points will be carried out by the federal government, according to the new standards.
