Rukum (west), Jan. 9 -- Gaun Gaun Ma Singha Durbar (Singha Durbar in Every Village) was the popular slogan during the local elections held in 2017 after the implementation of federalism in the country. Political parties and their leaders, mainly those contesting the local polls, assured people that the powers of Singha Durbar, the country's administrative centre, would be devolved to the local bodies. However, people in Dolpa, a remote district of Karnali Province, are yet to see this happen two and a half years after the elections.

As many as four local units in Dolpa have been carrying out their administrative and development activities from Dunai, the district headquarters. Dolpobuddha, Shey Phoksundo, Kaike and Chharkatangsong rural ...