A study team formed by the government has proposed Butwal as the capital of Province 5 since the city has sufficient infrastructure and facilities to set up new offices for the provincial government agencies.

The team, led by Baburam Gautam of the Regional Administration Office, has said that Butwal meets all requirements to become the provincial capital. As for setting up provincial parliament and state agency offices, the team has proposed refurbishing the existing government buildings and renting private buildings. 

The team has recommended converting the buildings of Skill Development Training Centre, Revenue Investigation Office, Transport Office, Area Administration Office and Road Department, among others, into the offices of provincial government agencies. Daily functioning of state agencies can run smoothly if Butwal is designated the capital of Province 5, said Gautam. The team had reached the conclusion after studying the area and conducting discussions with local stakeholders.

Besides Butwal, the team had also conducted its study in Rupandehi and Dang districts. The people living in western region of the province have demanded that Dang should be named the provincial capital. Similarly, the people in Lumbini want Butwal as the provincial headquarters.

Provincial assembly members must take oath of office and secrecy within 15  days of vote count completion. The first meeting of the assembly must commence within two weeks after the oath ceremony, meaning the provincial assemblies must start their works from the first week of January.

Local representatives demand Butwal as provincial headquarters

PALPA: The newly elected members of the federal parliament and provincial assemblies of Palpa have demanded that Butwal should be named the capital of Province 5. Organising a press meet in Butwal on Monday, they claimed that Butwal was suitably located and met all requirements to become the headquarters of Province 5. House of Representatives member Som Prasad Pandeya said Butwal was conveniently located for all seven districts in Province 5 to become the capital city.