Kathmandu, December 8
The Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development has barred local governments across the country from carrying out development projects via user groups that are unregistered.
Because almost all user groups currently working with local governments are not registered as NGOs, the decision will effectively stop the groups from carrying out the projects.
Earlier, the Ministry of Urban Development had also barred user groups from carrying out similar projects by utilising the ministry’s budget.
Recently, the 58th annual report of the Office of the Auditor-General had pointed out user groups could not be held accountable for the projects they completed as they are formed on an ad-hoc basis and they are also not recognised legally.
Besides, there are complaints rife that the user groups delay the projects and handle them irresponsibly. Of late, the groups have emerged as fake contractors that embezzle funds by leaving them substandard.
