A Comparative Study of Local Government System in Nepal

Abstract

The Comparative Study of local Government System in Nepal offers an overview of the institutional, legal, financial framework, issues and challenges of different local government during the Panchyat, Unitary and Federal governments of Nepal. The research is a qualitative following descriptive and analytical method. The study identifies key issues to which the constitutional vision and objectives are being met and indicators identified to be taken into account as to how local governments are constrained, facilitated or enabled during Panchyat, Constitutional Monarchy and Federal System and the extent to which local governments address and meet the objectives of service delivery. The Local Self Governance Act (LSGA) of 1999 offers local bodies fiscal autonomy and authority to generate, collect and mobilize resources from various sources, but LGSA was never fully implemented. With the number of responsibilities delegated to very small and weak local governments, local elections in suspension and a lack of human and financial resources, the promises of the decentralization under the LGSA were never fully realized. In comparing governments during different periods, the present government is yet to be understood and studied deeply in the future. The research indicates that financial resources and it limitations to the local government and absence of proper management is likely to underestimate oversights dues to lack of experience, knowledge and implementation. Such realities can be addressed with the increased accountability between citizens and local institutions with increased autonomy and accountability to create the impetus for fulfilling the aspiration of public at large for needed development.