Pokhara, 25 December| The Gandaki Provincial Assembly has officially commenced its administrative operations from a new location in Matepani, struggling to rise from the ashes of a devastating arson attack that occurred months ago. On September 8 (Bhadra 24), a mob set fire to the 33-year-old historic wooden building in Nadipur, which served as the assembly hall and secretariat. This incident happened less than 24 hours after Govinda Paudel took charge as the Secretary of the Provincial Assembly, instantly turning his professional enthusiasm into a daunting challenge. The fire, which spread rapidly due to the wooden structure, reduced the main meeting hall, party offices, and vital historical documents to charcoal within just fifteen minutes, paralyzing the province’s parliamentary proceedings for months.
Following the destruction, the assembly faced a severe logistical crisis, forced to conduct a temporary session at the Agriculture Development Directorate in Malepatan. Eventually, the government coordinated the relocation of the secretariat to the vacant building of the Animal and Fisheries Development Directorate in Matepani, which was completed in 2018. However, moving into the new premises has not been without difficulties. The transition was hampered by the fact that previous occupants had stripped the building of basic fixtures like light bulbs and wiring. Currently, the secretariat is operating with borrowed computers, printers, and furniture to maintain daily functions. The inventory department has confirmed that they are relying on credit until the Ministry of Finance approves a proposed budget of Rs 4.6 million for repairs and new equipment.
While offices for the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and staff have been set up in Matepani, a dedicated hall for full assembly sessions is still under preparation. The lack of adequate rooms for parliamentary parties and committee meetings has forced a shift-based rotation system. Meanwhile, a sophisticated new Provincial Assembly building is under construction in Nadipur, west of the destroyed site, with an estimated cost of over Rs 253 million. However, this project is expected to take at least another two years to complete. Until then, the Gandaki Provincial Assembly must navigate through significant physical constraints and financial delays. Despite these hurdles, the secretariat staff remains committed to rebuilding the lost historical archives through digital means and ensuring that the democratic process in the province remains resilient and functional.
