KARNALI: An interaction programme aimed at strengthening intergovernmental ties between the province and local levels began today in Birendranagar, Surkhet.

The two-day event, organized by the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers, was inaugurated by Chief Minister Yamlal Kandel.

On the occasion, he emphasized the need for all three tiers of government to work together through further coordination, collaboration, and coexistence in line with the spirit of the Constitution.

He added that the programme was aimed at fostering stronger coordination between provincial and local governments.

The event brings together office-bearers from the National Association of Rural Municipalities in Nepal (NARMIN) and the Municipal Association of Nepal (MuAN) to discuss issues related to the routine functioning of government.

Chief Secretary of Karnali Province, Birendra Narayan Yadav, highlighted that the practice of floating proposals for over 7,000 projects from a single district has hindered the proper identification of development priorities.

The programme will include comprehensive discussions on revenue sharing, implementation of special, supplementary, and conditional grants, management of local government employees, law formulation, and the preparation of roadmaps for upcoming policies, budgets, and programmes.

Participants include the chiefs and deputy chiefs of Coordination Committees in 10 districts, the mayors and deputy mayors of 25 municipalities, the chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of 54 rural municipalities, as well as chief secretaries and chief administrative officers from the municipalities.