Chairman of Pipara Rural Municipality in Mahottari, Ramjanaki Yadav, has expressed his commitment to allocate additional budget for the Dalit community. Speaking at an interaction program on "Access to Policies, Programs and Budgets for Dalit Community" organized at the rural municipality hall on Sunday, he said that budget will be allocated for the implementation of special programs for the Dalit community from the ongoing winter session. At the program, Chairman Yadav acknowledged the fact that the Dalit community has lagged behind due to the discrimination done by the state in the past and mentioned that the municipality is committed to effectively implementing the policies made by the state. He said, "We have made some positive efforts for the Dalit community, but I admit that we have not been able to allocate sufficient budget yet. We will make a concrete plan to improve this in the coming days."

Municipality taking steps for Dalit empowerment
Chairman Yadav informed that 40 percent of Dalit members are members of the executive committee of Pipara Rural Municipality and urged the local caste discrimination and untouchability monitoring committee to present an effective plan for Dalit empowerment. He said that if the proposed plans are feasible, they will be included in the budget from the winter session of the current fiscal year.

Addressing the program, Vice President of the municipality, Bandana Pandey, also said that the municipality is ready to facilitate the Dalit community. She also emphasized that the Dalit community itself should be active for its rights.

Discussion on Dalit rights and access to budget
The program had an in-depth discussion on the rights, opportunities and reform measures of the Dalit community in the program. The participants urged to ensure the active participation of the Dalit community in the budget, policy and program formulation process of the municipality. At the program held under the chairmanship of Bhola Paswan, Executive Director of Dalit Sarokar Manch Nepal, program coordinator Manish Koirala presented a study report on the access of the Dalit community in Pipara Rural Municipality. The participants of the program felt that such a program would help make the municipality's accountability more effective.

Status of Dalit-targeted budget in Pipra
In the 2079/80 fiscal year budget, Pipra Rural Municipality allocated 75.88 Lakh for the Dalit community, which is only 0.89 percent of the total budget. This amount was allocated for scholarships for the Dalit community, construction of community buildings, skill-based training, and cultural programs.

For the 2080/81 fiscal year, Pipra Rural Municipality has allocated 52.02 Lakh for the Dalit-targeted budget, which is 1.11 percent of the total budget. In addition, the municipality has also allocated budget for the construction of a dharamshala for the Das community, skill-based training, and improvement of physical infrastructure for the Dalit community.

Challenges in making the Dalit-targeted budget effective
The participants said that active participation of the community, organized pressure, and effective planning in policy making are necessary to make the Dalit-targeted budget effective. Studies have shown that the budget has not been effective due to the lack of Dalit-friendly leadership in areas of Dalit concern, lack of awareness, and limited community access. The program is expected to increase the municipality's responsibility to empower the Dalit community. Participants pointed out the need to continue such programs. The program was hosted by journalist Kuldeep Das.