Kathmandu: He has been actively involved in local governance, addressing the unique challenges of his community. Since his re-election, he has prioritized service delivery and community engagement.
He is Hari Chandra Basnet, the Chair of Kushe Rural Municipality in Jajarkot. He is also the Secretary of the Nepali Congress Jajarkot District Committee.
Basnet is committed to implementing initiatives that promote health, education, and social welfare, believing that local government is crucial in enhancing the quality of life for residents.
In an interview with Ram Kumar Shahi of The DMN News, Basnet shared his thoughts on various topics, including the role of local government, challenges in service delivery, and his vision for the future of Kushe.
Here are some excerpts from the conversation:
It has been two years since you were re-elected as the Chair of Kushe Rural Municipality. How are you feeling about your role?
Local governments should primarily focus on addressing local issues and providing services that support the aspirations of the people. In my case, I see myself as a trusted friend to the community. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve at the local level for a second term.
This role requires us to extend service delivery in a way that makes life easier for the people. From my experience, the local government is the closest level of government to the people, and we must ensure they never feel neglected or disappointed. We cannot compromise on the values and promises we made to the public.
I have always been committed to improving the quality of service delivery and ensuring justice, and I will continue to stand by these commitments in the future. Our focus must always be on strengthening the collaboration between citizens and local government through open and transparent dialogues.
Why do you think local governments are so important for people?
Local governments are extremely close to the people—they are present even before a person is born and continue to serve them after they pass away. Effective leadership at the local level can bring pride and progress to communities, helping them thrive.
What do people expect from their local representatives?
First, it’s crucial to understand the local context. The reality of Jajarkot is quite different from other places. Some locals have never even seen Kathmandu, let alone the power center of Singha Durbar. They also have very limited access to the provincial government. Our Palika is one of the most rural and disadvantaged in the region.
In this context, for the people of Kushe Rural Municipality, the local government is the only government they know. Naturally, they have high expectations of it.
From my experience, I’ve seen that people are happiest when infrastructure is developed, when road access is improved, when healthcare services are better, and when schools are renovated. These are realistic and achievable expectations. Additionally, when local jobs are created for their children, it brings them joy.
At the end of the day, the local government is like a guardian to them, and they expect it to fulfill the responsibilities of a true guardian.
What are the major challenges in service delivery?
One of the biggest challenges is the budget constraint. We cannot deliver effective services without adequate resources. Another challenge is managing human resources. The federal government assigns the role of Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), but from a practical perspective, this isn’t ideal. The federal government can transfer employees whenever it wants, disrupting continuity at the local level.
What activities and campaigns have you initiated as the Chair of the local government?
I declared our Palika an alcohol-free zone, which has promoted a healthier lifestyle among the locals. This decision has also helped people save money that might otherwise be spent on alcohol.
Another significant initiative is the education program for children with disabilities. We have provided qualified teachers to ensure these children receive an education, which is a constitutional right. So far, at least six children have benefited from this program.
Beyond these, I’ve also initiated several major reforms to improve service delivery.
What are the additional challenges faced by local governments?
Our democracy operates as a multiparty system, where different political ideologies are represented. Elections are meant to choose representatives, and whether someone wins or loses, the people’s mandate must be respected.
Recently, however, I’ve noticed a trend of creating deliberate obstacles. Baseless complaints are lodged without sufficient evidence, which wastes the time of local representatives and civil servants, who are tired of defending against these unfounded allegations. I believe this trend needs to end.
Another challenge is the insufficiency of internal resources to meet the demands of the people. The federal government needs to be more supportive in providing the necessary budget. I also feel there is a lack of coordination between the federal, provincial, and local governments. The federal government’s budget often doesn’t reflect the realities on the ground at the local level. This coordination gap must be addressed, and there needs to be a more effective working relationship among all levels of government.
How do you want to be remembered after your tenure as Chair of the Palika?
I have fully dedicated my time and effort to improving the lives of the citizens of Kushe. My goal has always been to deliver effective services to everyone, regardless of their caste, class, political ideology, origin, or other factors.
I want to be remembered for my actions towards social reforms and development. I aim to improve the quality of education, healthcare, and other services. I also want to introduce sustainable development practices that will continue benefiting the community long after my tenure.
Comment