Rapti Valley: The Chief Minister of Lumbini Province, Chet Narayan Acharya, has advocated for the delegation of constitutional rights to the province to enhance federalism. During a coordination meeting held in Rapti Valley (Deukhuri) between members of the National Assembly and the Provincial Assembly, Chief Minister Acharya emphasized the necessity of power devolution to the provinces without diminishing the constitutional rights.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Chief Minister Acharya highlighted the crucial role of elected representatives in endorsing these rights through the federal government or federal parliament. He expressed confidence in the representatives’ ability to fulfill this role effectively.
Chief Minister Acharya pointed out the financial challenges faced by the province due to the federal government’s delay in disbursing the equalization grant. He mentioned that a significant portion of the grant was not received last year, leading to an ongoing financial crisis in the province.
He noted that although the constitution provides for the equalization grant, issues such as budget cuts and lack of funds have hindered the province’s development projects. Chief Minister Acharya reiterated Lumbini Province’s focus on lawmaking and implementation, underscoring the need for continuous coordination and cooperation between federal and provincial representatives to ensure effective parliamentary practices.
The meeting was presided over by Speaker of Lumbini Province Assembly, Tularam Gharti Magar, and attended by Deputy Chairperson of the National Assembly Bimala Ghimire, ministers of Lumbini Province, and members of both the National Assembly and the Provincial Assembly.