Our Representative Our Right

Rolpa is one of the 12 districts in Lumbini Province, Nepal. It consists of nine Rural Municipalities and one Municipality, totaling 10 local levels. Rolpa is historically known as the place of origin of the People’s War and is renowned for its natural beauty. The following conversation between INSEC Representative Rima BC and Sukabahadur Budhamagar, Chairperson of Paribartan Rural Municipality, focuses on the policies, plans, budgets, and programs being developed by the local government.  Additionally, about how much emphasis can be placed on promoting the development of a culture of human rights.

The policy and program formulation for the fiscal year 2024/2025 in Paribartan Rural Municipality is currently underway. The Rural Municipality plans to continue the efforts initiated in the previous year rather than introducing many new initiatives. The focus will be on completing unfinished projects from the previous year, promoting a culture of human rights development, and coordinating new programs in collaboration with the provincial government. Paribartan Rural Municipality will focus on addressing issues highlighted by the gender equality and social inclusion assessment this time. We are currently discussing strategies to address those issues and move forward. This year, our focus will be on developing an action plan to establish a gender-friendly budget. Similarly, there has been technology misuse at our local level recently. We are considering implementing awareness programs to address this issue effectively.

Yes, as the local government is the closest government to the citizens, we have worked on programs based on the needs of the marginalized community, gender, and society. These programs focus on advancing them financially, connecting them with entrepreneurship, and making them self-reliant. We talked about commercialism in agriculture, but since there were complaints that the farmers did not receive fair prices, we are exploring ways to make farmers feel self-respect by branding their products. We are also discussing such matters. Similarly, it is challenging to control alcoholic beverages since it is related to some of the traditions  and culture. Therefore, we have actively moved forward in the matter of regulating rather than controlling it. Likewise, we are planning to standardize and brand domestic alcohol. Additionally, we are studying the feasibility of producing wine from local fruits such as berries, plum, Rhododendron, and others. This year, we have planned to move forward with women’s leadership development programs.

We have advanced by identifying women, Dalits, and marginalized communities and developing their leadership to ensure that these communities, which have been left behind on various fronts, feel supported by the state. Some local levels face challenges in identifying disadvantaged families, as some individuals who are not genuinely in need may falsely claim poverty and submit inaccurate information. This situation prevents those who are genuinely needy from receiving assistance. Therefore, we recognize the importance of economically empowering the poor community by focusing efforts on primary centers. We conduct programs aimed at addressing the challenges and concerns of economically marginalized individuals across all castes in our rural municipality. Nowadays, more cases of insulting senior citizens have started to come out. There is a plan to honor senior citizens who have been disrespected by their sons and daughters-in-law. Additionally, efforts are underway to educate sons and daughters-in-law about their rights and responsibilities towards senior citizens. Furthermore, there is a proposal to introduce a program where senior citizens can gather to discuss and share their experiences. Caste discrimination is increasing in this district, with many incidents occurring during the People’s War. Currently, there are issues with caste based discrimination, especially in Ward No. 2, 4, and 5 of this Rural Municipality. We are organizing campaigns against this discrimination involving all political parties in our programs. I believe these initiatives will help eliminate such discrimination.

The development of physical infrastructure is visible and captures everyone’s attention, but because human development cannot be as tangible or visible, it is overshadowed despite being equally focused on. However, Paribartan Rural Municipality is working on human development along with physical infrastructure development. We are aware that development without human development is insufficient. The district has prioritized education by hiring 42 teachers and allocating a budget of Rs 30,000,000. Similarly, there is a strong emphasis on improving the health sector. The federal government is actively monitoring communicable diseases to ensure public health. However, the federal government does not oversee non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, kidney problems, diabetes, and blood pressure. Therefore, we have taken the initiative to raise awareness and prioritize the health of our citizens in these areas. We are advancing by integrating these policies into our programs. Currently, we have only one birthing center listed at our local level. However, in the upcoming financial year, we have plans to establish and manage an additional four birthing centers. Resources are currently limited, and despite the local level expecting Rs 2,20,00,000 from the federal equalization budget, the funds haven’t arrived yet. The union states that the Office of the Auditor General has stopped the money. The internal budget of the local level is only Rs 51,00,000. We cannot raise taxes nor do we have other sources of income. Despite this, we continue to operate normally.

Rolpa, being the place of origin of the People’s War, holds a significant history where many citizens sacrificed their lives to establish the current state system. Now, some of these individuals hold leadership roles at the local level.

Yes, Rolpa is the place of origin of people’s war. Many of our friends sacrificed their lives, went missing, or were injured to establish the current state system. Their sacrifices have led us to the situation we are in today. Without their efforts to bring about these changes, I would not be in the position I am now. While we cannot bring back those who have lost their lives, we have constructed memorials and monuments in their honor and remembrance. We have conducted programs according to the needs of the conflict-affected families based on their demands. We will continue these programs by identifying the need in the future as well. We have advanced programs by giving grants based on needs and connecting them to various entrepreneurships and incomes. Currently, some individuals are operating food shops, while others are engaged in ventures such as goat and chicken rearing.  The local level will provide interest-free investments for two years. All grants are provided free of charge. If recipients do not continue with their ventures, they will be required to return all the money without interest within two years. Additionally, we have implemented a free health insurance program for the families of the deceased. During my tenure, the local level has conducted renovations and progressed with activities such as constructing a memorial in Paribartan Rural Municipality to honor those who lost their lives during the conflict. We have also prioritized employing conflict victims at the local level.

Since the local government is the closest government, we are always accountable to their citizens in every way. Learning from past policies, plans, and programs, identifying needs, and creating inclusive policies, plans, programs, and budgets that encompass all local areas, religions, genders, and political affiliations, I am committed to upholding the rights of marginalized communities. The challenge lies in finding ways to eliminate discrimination in society, where there is limited awareness about the importance of focusing on health. Issues like child marriage and polygamy are also concerns that need addressing. We are proceeding accordingly and being sensitive in serving our citizens. Furthermore, we are moving forward in building a culture of human rights.