The Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development has started exploring possible sources to arrange vehicles for the elected representatives.

Officials at the ministry told the Post that they were conducting a nation-wide study on ways to provide vehicles for the elected representatives, including their types for use in different locations and areas. The move aims to facilitate the effective functioning of local body representatives.

“First of all, we will determine the total number of vehicles required at the local levels. Then, we’ll find out their location, capacity and actual needs of the local levels,” said Rudra Singh Tamang, spokesperson for the ministry. The government is planning to provide vehicle facility to mayors, deputy majors, chiefs and deputy chiefs of local bodies.

Although the local levels are allowed to buy vehicles if they have the resources, the ministry has asked them not to give priority to buying vehicles from the budget allocated for other purpose. Some local representatives, including the mayor of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, have already courted controversy for buying luxurious vehicles for themselves instead of giving priority to other areas.

One possibility, according to Spokesperson Tamang, is making an inventory of vehicles held by government offices in the districts. Some of the government vehicles remain unused in districts.

Tamang said they would also approach the Ministry of Finance for allocation of budget to purchase vehicles for the local bodies.

Following Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba’s instruction to the ministries to submit their programme details they are due to launch by mid-September, the Local Development Ministry is working on ways to manage vehicles for the local representatives.  

The ministry has also drafted a bill related to providing facilities, mainly remuneration and allowances to the local representatives. Besides remuneration, the elected representatives are entitled to other facilities like quarters, vehicles and others. (PR)