30th March 2025, Kathmandu
A two-day orientation on public procurement management successfully concluded in Bhaktapur, equipping local representatives, municipal chiefs, and financial administrators with crucial knowledge to ensure transparency and efficiency in governance.
Bhaktapur Procurement Training
The event, organized by the Bagmati Province Good Governance Center, aimed to tackle procurement-related challenges and promote best practices in public financial management.
Strengthening Public Procurement Practices
The orientation program brought together 23 local governments from four districts of Bagmati Province, addressing common procurement challenges and offering solutions for effective contract management, bidding processes, and audit compliance. The Bagmati Province Good Governance Center stated that the initiative was developed based on requests from local governments and was coordinated with the Public Procurement Monitoring Office to enhance legal compliance and procedural accuracy.
Key Highlights of the Training
Understanding Public Procurement Laws & Institutional Frameworks
Mukunda Prasad Niraula, Secretary of the Public Procurement Monitoring Office, led a session on the legal framework and institutional structure of public procurement.
Bid Documentation & Tendering Process
Ram Chandra Dangal, Joint Secretary of the Public Procurement Monitoring Office, provided expert insights on bid document preparation for goods and services procurement.
Bid Evaluation & Contract Management
Former Secretary & Procurement Expert Maniram Gel conducted a session on bid evaluation, contract management, blacklisting policies, and consumer committee involvement in construction projects.
Addressing Audit Irregularities in Local Governments
Tara Prasad Pandey from the Provincial Audit Directorate of Bagmati Province delivered a session on audit irregularities, financial inspections, and measures to prevent procurement-related disputes.
Chief Minister’s Commitment to Governance & Digital Transformation
Bagmati Province Chief Minister Bahadur Singh Lama Tamang stressed the importance of such training programs across all local governments to minimize financial irregularities and enhance governance transparency. He emphasized that these initiatives will play a key role in ensuring efficient public procurement and reducing bureaucratic hurdles.
Additionally, the Chief Minister announced that the province is developing a digital tracking system to monitor staff attendance, transfers, and promotions within local governments. This new software aims to streamline administrative processes and improve operational efficiency.
Challenges in Local-Level Public Procurement
Changunarayan Municipality Chief Jeevan Khatri raised concerns about fragmented procurement practices, highlighting that multiple procurements of the same type within a fiscal year are flagged as irregular by auditors, leading to audit objections and financial discrepancies. He emphasized the need for better procurement planning to avoid unnecessary financial scrutiny.
High-Level Participation & Representation
The orientation witnessed participation from prominent leaders, including:
Suresh Shrestha, Member of the Bagmati Province Assembly
Ritesh Kumar Shakya, Secretary of Bagmati Province
23 municipalities, represented by municipal chiefs and financial administrators, including:
5 municipalities from Rasuwa
12 municipalities from Nuwakot
4 municipalities from Bhaktapur
3 rural municipalities from Lalitpur
Conclusion: Strengthening Governance Through Training
The two-day procurement training has proven to be a significant step towards enhancing governance efficiency, reducing financial irregularities, and promoting transparency in public procurement across Bagmati Province. With continued initiatives, local governments can strengthen their procurement systems, improve compliance with legal frameworks, and ensure greater accountability in resource utilization.
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