According to Babu Raja Maharjan, coordinator and facilitator of the programme, locals and consumer groups were apprised of the sub-metropolis standards as well as

new projects to be carried  out this fiscal year and the next.

“Consumer groups were acquainted with the process of operating the projects, the legal provisions to be followed and proper auditing of allocated budget,” Maharjan said, adding that Sunday’s event was both fruitful and successful.

“They were made aware of various provisions to be followed while running the projects by senior architect Prabhin Shrestha, senior legal advisor Khagendra Wasti and Shyam Raj Adhikari of the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development,” Maharjan said.

He informed such programmes will also be held in Sunakothi and Harisiddhi on February 2 and 3 respectively.

Regarding participants of the programme, Maharjan said they had notified local residents to join the event, if they were interested.

“We were expecting about 70 people, but more than 80 people participated in the programme. What this means is that there are many people who want to know more about the process of the projects and programmes to be carried out under the LSMC,” he said.

One of the participants, Asbin Maharjan of Dapakhel-24, said the event was useful for most residents as they were still new to the terms and conditions of the sub-metropolis.

“We have lived as per the regulations of VDCs all our lives and this event was useful to know how programmes and projects are carried out under the LSMC,” he said.

According to the LSMC chief Tara Bahadur Karki, these orientations are part of a large programme to update the recently-added wards so that they meet standards and familiarise local people with new procedures.