Orientations to Local Government Bodies on their Judicial Rights

April 04, 2018

CeLRRd has been conducting a series of orientation programs to Local Government Bodies on their Judicial Rights in 14 districts across Nepal. Districts include Kanchanpur, Bardiya, Dang, Kapilvastu, Rupandehi, Nawalparasi, Parsa, Bara, Makwanpur, Okhaldhunga, Sunsari, Morang, Panchthar and Ilam.

Concerning the issue, judicial power was devolved to the local bodies without conducting proper empowerment programs. In the lack of proper orientations on laws and Local Governance Act, Judicial Committees formed under Vice Mayor/ Chairperson are still in the state of commotion. As per our recent survey in 26 MCs/RMCs, Judicial Committees are yet to be formed in 5 MCs/RMCs. And in the lack of legal knowledge, some of the formed committee are not yet functional and some are being hyper-active in resolving all types of cases without referring them to Mediation Centers against the provisions of Local Governance Act.

On 16^th and 17^th April, CeLRRd conducted 2 one-day orientations each for executive members of Bhimdutta and Mahakali Municipality of Kanchanpur District. Orientations aimed to empower executive members to execute their judicial rights in a proper way and make the committee functional. Advocate Ram Prasad Aryal briefly oriented them on jurisdiction of judicial committee as guaranteed by constitution of Nepal and provision of Mediation Centers in Local Government Operation Act 2074.

34 stakeholders including Mayor, Deputy Mayor, judicial committee members, ward members, and ward secretary participated in the program. In the program, stakeholders of Bhimdutta Municipality shared their inability to operate the judicial committee that was formed eight months ago. Deputy Mayor Chini Ojha Giri of Mahakali Municipality admitted “Judicial Committee lacks consultant for providing legal counseling to the committee.” She added “Municipality needs extensive training on judicial rights to local government.” She even expressed her commitment “I will ensure that Mediation Center will be expanded in ward level.”

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