Post COVID-19 Local Government Under the Federalism in Nepal (Local Government’s Experience from Nepal)

Abstract

This paper aims to assess the responses of local government to the COVID-19 and discusses the prospect of local government. The study is mainly based on existing literature. Besides, the chiefs (elected) of three numbers of local governments are interviewed to support the research. The local government’s initiations during COVID-19 include testing of PCR, managing quarantines, creating awareness, and the distribution of food and relief materials to poor, vulnerable, and wage laborers from their own resources, which are admirable. Despite limited resources and fewer experiences, the role of local government in containing COVID-19 should be considered outstanding. The coordination between multi-layers of governments, the inadequacy of legislation, and limited financial transferring/subsidies, and poor governance are noticed as the major issues. After COVID-19, some reforms for the capacity building of the local government are critical.

Keywords: COVID-19, effectiveness, finance, federalism, local government, responsiveness