Meeting with Mediation Committee, Judicial Committee and Paralegals of Tokha Municipality:

CWAD organized one-day program in coordination with Judicial Committee of Tokha Municipality on 10^th August 2021 (Shrawan 26th, 2078). Judicial Committee Members, Mediation Committee Members, Ward Members, Executive Members, Paralegals, Legal, Finance, Women and administrative officials of Tokha Municipality shown their active participation. 

A total of 39 people participated among which 10 were male and 29 were female. Deputy Mayor (DM) Gayan Maya Dangol, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Prakash Aacharya, Judicial committee member Gopi Krishna Pathak and Judicial Committee Secretariat Chandra Prakash Shrestha also attended the program.

The objective of the program was to make the participants aware and help them understand the basic concept of Rule of Law, Good Governance, Accountability and Transparency. Similarly, what are their roles and responsibilities to achieve Good Governance by maintaining rule of law. As well as why we as an individual or any institution needs to be Transparent and Accountable. In addition, to enhance their understanding about their jurisdiction, roles and responsibilities as per the constitution and other related laws and provisions of a judicial committee member, mediation committee member, ward member and paralegal regarding the access to justice and service of poor, marginalized and disadvantages group.

In doing so, Prof. Dr. Shashi Adhikary presented her paper on “The role of judicial committee members, mediators, and paralegals regarding to maintain rule of law, good governance, accountability, and transparency in the local level.” Where she defined the word “Paralegal”. The initiative of UNICIEF in coordination with Women Ministry to recognized paralegal, its role and capacitated them with legal and social training until 2013 A.D. Then she briefed about the provisions that ensure the rule of law in the Constitution of Nepal 2015, such as the civil rights, fundamental rights, human rights, press freedom, free and neutral judiciary. The classification of roles and responsibilities of constitutional body such as federal executive, federal legislative, and judiciary. Similarly, about the jurisdiction and authority of three tires of governance; namely federal governance, provincial governance, and local governance to function as per the need and resource. Furthermore, added the local governance operation act and other province act that ensures the transparent function of local bodies, roles and responsibilities of local representatives. All these to systematize as well as maintain rule of law and good governance in the nation. As well as Good governance (management and operation) Act, 2064 and Right to Information Act, 2064 for Accountability and Transparency. she shared few facts about then Muluki Ain 1910 and added Case Number 17 (well-known as Annapurna Rana case) to further explain the participants about the need of change in mentality.

Prof. Dr Adhikary stressed that Law is supreme “Supremacy of Law” and equal for everyone regardless of their power and position, be a citizen, government official, institutions, elected representatives, prime minister, presidents are below the law and are obligated to follow “Equality Before Law”. Thus, “Ignorance of Law is not excused” by the Court. And the Supreme Court has the only authority to interpret the law.

CWAD chairperson, Dr. Anita Shrestha concluded the program by her concluding remarks. She thanked judicial committee of Tokha Municipality for coordinating this program. And appreciated the commitments from DM and CAO from their respective position for their municipality. Lastly, again thanked Deputy Mayor, CAO, judicial committee members, executive members, mediators, paralegals, ward members, and government officials for the active participation.