Public confidence in federalism is waning because of the Constituency Development Programme.

The provinces should enlarge their own sources and not depend on fiscal transfers only.

Despite the challenges, all seven provinces of Nepal have made many achievements.

It is important for the Nepali people to raise their voice strongly against this move.

Errant local governments can be punished through the fiscal transfer channel like in the past.

The laws related to grant distribution have not defined and clarified the concept of expenditure needs.

Intergovernmental relationships are to be refined through experience and practice, not directed by laws.

The need to travel to the district headquarters and even Kathmandu for small tasks has been completely reduced.

The provinces have to set up many institutions to deliver basic services properly, and they have to start from scratch

Now that local elections are complete, local governments will finally be established in Nepal after a long gap. Initially, the Local Level Restructuring Commission (LLRC) proposed that Nepal be divided into 719 municipalities.

Balancing population and geography will be the biggest challenge in ensuring proportionate representation

The federal government has shown it is determined not to let go of the purse strings

The standards that have been set for restructuring local bodies are not scientific

Huge horizontal disparities in revenue collection pose a challenge to development

The many and varied complexities of restructuring local bodies should be understood