Parliamentarians pledged to provide policy support to LMC

Kathmandu- Parliamentarians elected from various constituencies in Lalitpur district have expressed their commitment to provide policy-level support to the Lalitpur Metropolitan City (LMC) for it to effectively deliver citizen-friendly services.

The House of Representatives (HoR) members and Province Assembly (PA) members also reaffirmed their commitment to support the local government in Lalitpur to increase capital expenditure. During an interaction with the LMC on the newly unveiled annual policies, programs, and budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2024–25 today, former State Minister and parliamentarian Udaya Shumsher Rana wished that capital expenditures see an increase and policies be placed that would revive the economy.

He promised that they would provide support up to the hilt for the Metropolis to render public services. Furthermore, he viewed that effective waste management should be taken into consideration besides ensuring convenient parking facilities. He pressed for commercializing underground parking and bringing such a facility under the ambit of taxation.

Similarly, HoR member Dr. Toshima Karki suggested the Metropolis collect taxation on the basis of citizens’ feedback and their satisfaction with public service delivery. The revenue collected from taxation should be spent prudently, she stressed. Drawing attention towards an effective sewerage management system, she brought to the attention of the issues relating to the deterioration of the Mall Pokhari at Ward No. 4 and Dhapakhel by the wastages leaked from sewerage.

She also highlighted the need for policies for conservation of heritages and prompt reconstruction of quake-damaged heritages such as Rudrayani and Rato Machhendranath Temple, among others. Similarly, HoR member Prem Bahadur Maharjan expressed his happiness that the upcoming annual policies, programmes, and budget were focused on the development of physical infrastructure. He suggested incorporating policies and programmes aimed at minimizing air pollution and urged promoting bicycle usage within the Metropolis for the same.

Another HoR member, Roshan Karki, opined that Metropolis should prevent the federal government from selling off Radio Nepal’s land to the Nepal Telecommunications Company. Among the host of recommendations, he suggested scaling up the community schools and ensuring easy and smooth registration of childbirth for the children born within the Metropolis.

PA member Ram Krishna Chitrakar commended Metropolis’s delivery on heritage conservation and achieved Sustainable Development Goals and viewed that the conservation bid should be continued. Another Province Assembly member, Prem Bhakta Maharjan, emphasized optimizing arable land within the metropolis and viewed that one pocket area in each ward of the metropolis be declared to promote agricultural product. Raghunath Maharjan, calling for conservation of ‘Dhunge Dhara’ (stone spout), stressed brining ‘Rajkulo’ (royal canal) into operation at the earliest.

LMC Mayor Chiribabu Maharjan argued that the policy that mandates calling a tender for the construction of physical infrastructure in heritage areas should not be adopted and implemented. He urged the participating parliamentarians to raise their voices in parliament regarding this issue. He asserted that the Public Procurement Act-2063 BS was detrimental to the development of the country and thus called for revising it.

He also opined that the agreement inked by the federal government for Kathmandu Valley’s waste management was a hurdle in itself. He vowed to take into consideration the recommendations furnished by the lawmakers for the greater good of the metropolis and heritage and environmental conservation.

Deputy Mayor Manjali Shakya assured to deliver in accordance with the principle of collaboration and co-existence to address the aspirations of the citizens. According to her, the Metropolis has allocated an adequate budget to ensure drinking water facilities for the Lalitpur residents.