Annapurna Rural Municipality’s Public Hearing: Citizens’ Grievances and the Roadmap to Prosperity

Pokhara. Annapurna Rural Municipality of Kaski held a public hearing regarding the plans implemented, services delivered, and development programs conducted during the third trimester of fiscal year 2081/082.In the program, local residents openly expressed their grievances and suggestions, while the municipality clarified that work on several raised issues had already begun and that citizens' concerns would form the foundation of future policy-making.

Locals from various wards raised complaints such as unused cement stockpiles, shortage of medical doctors, underutilized budgets, infrastructure delays, unutilized public land, and lack of transparency and standard guidelines. The municipality stated that it has taken these concerns seriously and is committed to addressing them.

Chairperson of the rural municipality, Bishnu Bahadur KC, mentioned that the work is being carried out within available resources and legal limits. He informed that the foundation stone for building construction would be laid soon. Chairperson KC also explained that employment and social security are being supported through the (MEDPA) and (SaMi) programs. He highlighted the municipality's increasing involvement in improving community schools.

Vice-chairperson Chandrakala Adhikari announced that new programs targeting women, children, senior citizens, and the underprivileged would be introduced. She emphasized that the municipality is committed not just to listening to public complaints but also to finding practical solutions.

Chief Administrative Officer Bishnu Prasad Pokharel presented the third trimester report titled “Agriculture, Tourism, Energy, and Infrastructure: Foundation of Annapurna’s Prosperity.” The report included updates from all 11 wards. According to the report, the municipality collected a revenue of NPR  (one crore eightyeight lakh seven hundred eightyfive) in the fiscal year 2081/082. Significant work was accomplished in the Social Security and Registration Section and the Technical Section. The municipality ensured social security from elderly citizens to Dalit children and focused on basic infrastructure development through technical planning.

From the Technical Section, 8 projects were tendered in FY 2081/082; 7 of them were completed, while one was extended. Despite challenges, notable achievements were recorded in agriculture and health sectors, the report stated.

Local resident Dandapani Bhandari raised the issue of cement sacks lying idle for a long time in front of the ward office and expressed dissatisfaction over delays in development work and the absence of elected representatives. Muna Bhandari expressed concern over the underuse of public land and stressed the need for better resource management by the local government. Locals including Manhari Bhandari, Jomaya Devkota, and Rishiram Bhandari also shared their grievances and suggestions.

Chairperson of Machhapuchhre Secondary School Management Committee, Manapati Bhandari, emphasized the important role of the municipality, teachers, parents, and the community in improving public schools.

In a public service satisfaction survey presented by journalist Sagar Dhakal during the hearing, most locals expressed general satisfaction with the municipality’s service delivery. He noted that most service recipients found the behavior of municipal staff to be positive, though some services still needed improvement.

Note-taker Shreebhadra Paudel stated that public hearings promote good governance and transparency, and stressed that elected officials must act responsibly in accordance with public sentiment.

Prioritizing local dialogue, feedback, and questions, the public hearing concluded on Wednesday with Annapurna Rural Municipality–Ward No. 2 Chairperson Pitambar Bhandari delivering the welcome remarks and journalist Indra Prasad Paudel conducting the program.