Kathmandu: In the latest assessment conducted by the National Natural Resources and Finance Commission, Biratnagar Metropolitan City of Morang has ranked first among metropolitan cities across the country, scoring 78.11 percent based on various performance indicators.

Lalitpur Metropolitan City secured second place with 76.33 percent, while Kathmandu Metropolitan City scored 44.97 percent. Among other metropolitan cities, Bharatpur Metropolitan City scored 68.08 percent, Pokhara Metropolitan City 58.76 percent, and Birgunj Metropolitan City 54 percent.

Among the 11 local levels in Kathmandu district, Nagarjuna Municipality ranked highest with 70.63 points. Other municipalities in the Kathmandu Valley include Chandragiri Municipality with 67.59 percent, Tokha Municipality with 65.67 percent, and Kirtipur Municipality with 62.15 percent.

In Bhaktapur Municipality led its district with 68.32 points. In Lalitpur district’s rural municipalities, Mahakal Rural Municipality and Konjyosom Rural Municipality performed strongly, scoring 72.99 and 68.79 percent respectively.

The commission evaluated local levels based on 17 strict indicators. Key administrative criteria included timely budget submission, revenue sharing with provinces, annual budget review, and management of unsettled audit amounts (beruju). Social development indicators were also assessed, such as community school performance (Grade 10 results), student retention rates, full immunization coverage for children, and prenatal health check-ups.

Additionally, the ability of local governments to mobilize internal revenue and formulate periodic development plans played a significant role in determining the final scores. The commission published the results after analyzing data submitted through its online portal.