By Ashish Kumar Mandal
Development-oriented commitment, dedication to public service and social responsibility are considered essential foundations of effective local leadership. Embracing these principles, Mayor Hari Prasad Mandal of Matihani Municipality, a historic and religious town in Mahottari district, has led the municipality for two consecutive terms, advancing various initiatives in road infrastructure, education, healthcare, disaster management, social security and religious tourism.
Elected as mayor in the local elections of 2017 and 2022, Mandal has given priority not only to infrastructure development but also to social welfare programmes. His second term began with two important decisions directly related to public safety and education. Immediately after assuming office, he signed decisions to purchase a fire engine to tackle fire incidents in the municipality and distribute bicycles to all female students enrolled in Grade 11 at community schools.
These decisions, based on local needs, reflected his administration’s commitment to prioritising citizens’ safety and education alongside infrastructure development.
In the past, Matihani had witnessed several devastating fire incidents that resulted in significant losses of life and property. The densely populated settlements, narrow roads and absence of a municipal fire engine had made firefighting particularly challenging. Recognising this problem, the municipality purchased a fire engine and brought it into operation on July 15, 2023.
Mayor Mandal announced plans to introduce an operational procedure for the fire engine, prioritising the municipality’s 6,460 households while also extending assistance to neighbouring local governments whenever necessary.
Local residents welcomed the initiative as an important step towards strengthening public safety. News reports also highlighted local resident Rajaram Sahani’s appreciation of the mayor for fulfilling his commitment to purchasing a fire engine.
The introduction of the fire engine added an important resource to the municipality’s disaster response capacity. In April 2024, a massive fire broke out in the Jarlahawa settlement of Matihani-6, destroying approximately 110 houses.
The fire was brought under control with the support of the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, local residents and fire engines. Mayor Mandal briefed the Chief Minister of Madhesh Province about the situation at the incident site, rescue operations and relief efforts, while also seeking support for the rehabilitation of affected families. Following the incident, the municipality actively arranged food, drinking water, tents and other essential relief materials for the victims.
Bicycle distribution for female students is another programme that has continued under Mandal’s leadership in the education sector. Aimed at reducing transportation difficulties caused by economic and geographical barriers and improving girls’ access to higher education, the municipality has been distributing bicycles to Grade 11 female students since 2019. News reports from different years have documented the distribution of bicycles to 53, 62 and 58 students, respectively. The initiative has particularly benefited girls who travel from rural settlements to attend school.
Mayor Mandal has continued the programme to encourage girls’ education and promote educational opportunities for daughters.
The municipality has also prioritised the preservation and promotion of the Maithili language, scholarships for underprivileged and academically talented students, distribution of educational materials and technology-friendly learning initiatives. Efforts to integrate local language, culture and identity into school education are expected to contribute to preserving Matihani’s distinctive cultural heritage.
In the area of social security, programmes targeting senior citizens have also been noteworthy. With the objective of providing relief from extreme summer heat and mosquito-related problems, the municipality distributed free electric fans and mosquito nets to 140 senior citizens aged above 82. The programme was designed to make daily life more comfortable for elderly residents who are particularly vulnerable due to their age, reflecting the local government’s social responsibility.
Similarly, a programme to distribute wheelchairs to 40 beneficiaries was launched at the municipality on October 12, 2026, with the aim of improving mobility and promoting independence among persons with disabilities. Implemented with support from the Mahottari Health Office and coordination with the municipality, the initiative is expected to help physically challenged individuals manage their daily activities and participate more actively in social life. Mayor Mandal personally inaugurated the programme.
To reduce the need for citizens to travel to municipal or ward offices to access government services, the municipality also organised an Integrated Mobile Service Camp in 2025. Inaugurated by Mayor Mandal, the camp brought several public services closer to residents, including project agreements, business registration and renewal, senior citizen identity cards, applications for disability identity cards, free health check-ups and medicine distribution, soil testing, agricultural input distribution, livestock and poultry consultations, and social security services.
By making services from different municipal departments available through a single camp, the initiative aimed to make local administration more accessible and citizen-friendly.
Mayor Mandal’s sense of social responsibility has not been limited to the municipal boundaries. Following the floods in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and other districts in August 2026, Matihani Municipality decided to contribute NPR 500,000 to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund to support rescue and relief operations. Mayor Mandal publicly announced the financial assistance in accordance with the decision taken by the municipal executive committee.
He also drew the government’s attention to the search and rescue of people who had gone missing following the floods, including Gangaram Mandal of Matihani-7. The initiative demonstrated humanitarian cooperation between local governments, extending support beyond their own residents to people affected by disasters in other parts of the country.
Earlier, in 2019, the municipality had coordinated with the Mahottari District Chapter of the Nepal Red Cross Society to distribute tents, clothing and essential relief materials to 20 flood-affected families in Bardaha and Awar settlements under Wards 2 and 3 of Matihani Municipality. Various news reports and municipal records indicate the mayor’s active involvement in delivering relief to affected families during emergencies.
Another important aspect of Matihani is its religious and historical identity. Recognised as a historic centre of Mithila civilisation, Matihani is home to Matihani Math, religious ponds, temples and other cultural heritage sites. The municipality has linked the preservation and promotion of these heritage sites with its broader development priorities.
Initiatives have been advanced to protect and beautify historical sites and develop tourist-friendly infrastructure, with the objective of connecting religious tourism to economic activities and local employment opportunities. The proposal to seek the inclusion of the historic Matihani Math on the UNESCO World Heritage List through initiatives with the federal government has also been incorporated into the municipality’s upcoming policies and programmes.
Agriculture has likewise been identified as an important foundation of the municipality’s economic development. Efforts have been made to increase agricultural productivity, improve irrigation facilities and connect farmers with soil testing, agricultural inputs and livestock-related advisory services. Through the Integrated Mobile Service Camp, farmers have been provided with soil testing facilities, mini vegetable kits and livestock and poultry-related services.
Similarly, the organised mobilisation of municipal police, market management, protection of public spaces, sanitation, control of road encroachment and strengthening of local security arrangements are important aspects of institutional development.
However, detailed official information confirming the municipality’s achievements in these areas could not be independently established through publicly available records. Publication of further details regarding municipal police staffing, deployment and performance would provide a clearer picture of Matihani’s administrative reforms.
Overall, during Hariprasad Mandal’s two terms in office, Matihani Municipality has implemented several initiatives, including the operation of a fire engine, bicycle distribution for female students, relief programmes for senior citizens, wheelchair support for persons with disabilities, mobile public service camps and humanitarian assistance during disasters.
These programmes reflect an effort to expand the scope of local development beyond roads and buildings by connecting it with education, healthcare, social security and public welfare.
Having received the public’s mandate twice, Mandal faces the important responsibility of making these programmes more effective and ensuring continuity in long-term development initiatives. An integrated approach addressing the basic needs of residents while preserving Matihani’s historical identity and promoting its religious tourism potential could further strengthen the municipality’s ambition to emerge as a prosperous, well-managed and attractive tourist destination.
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