Biratnagar, Oct. 14 -- Nearly nine years after provincial governments were established in Nepal, chief ministers are still grappling with many of the same problems: police integration, civil service management, laws governing shared powers and the distribution of financial resources.

After making joint commitments at earlier gatherings in Pokhara and Hetauda, they have assembled in Biratnagar once again, this time proposing greater cooperation among provinces to address their common challenges.

While continuing to press the federal government for greater authority and resources, the chief ministers have proposed closer partnerships among provinces.

The central finding from the three conferences is clear: although provincial governments...