Pokhara, 13 February | Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality has secured the top position in Kaski district in the performance evaluation conducted by the National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission. According to the recently published results based on various fiscal and administrative indicators, Machhapuchhre scored 70.08 points, outshining other local levels in the district. This evaluation, which considers 17 different indicators, reflects the efficiency of local governments in budget management, revenue mobilization, and public service delivery for the upcoming fiscal year 2082/83.
Following closely, Annapurna Rural Municipality secured the second position with 69.56 points, while Rupa Rural Municipality stood third with a score of 63.45. Interestingly, Pokhara Metropolitan City, the only metropolis in the district, ranked fourth with 58.76 points, indicating a need for improved administrative discipline in the urban center. On the other hand, Madi Rural Municipality was found to be the weakest in the district, scoring only 48.32 points. The commission primarily assessed whether the local levels presented their budgets by June 24 and passed them by mid-July, alongside monitoring their progress in tax collection and clearance of financial irregularities.
The evaluation criteria also extended beyond financial metrics to include social development goals such as education and health outcomes. Indicators like student retention rates in Grade 9, immunization coverage among children, and the frequency of maternal health check-ups played a crucial role in determining the final scores. This annual assessment is vital for local governments as it directly influences the volume of the Fiscal Equalization Grant they receive from the federal government. The results suggest that rural municipalities in Kaski have shown commendable progress in maintaining fiscal discipline and social indicators compared to the metropolitan administration.
