Nepal, Sept. 29 -- The government has set criteria to merge local units, redraw their boundaries and review the classification of municipalities, paving the way for a possible reduction in the number of local governments after the upcoming local-level elections.

The Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Federal Affairs and General Administration has made provisions for revising the number and boundaries of rural municipalities, municipalities and wards, merging local units and reclassifying municipalities. The provisions have been sent to all 77 district coordination committees, provincial governments and local governments, according to Joint Secretary Prakash Dahal of the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration....