Govt to address VDC secys' concerns

Himalayan News Service

KATHMANDU: With more and more VDC secretaries tendering their resignation, citing insecurity and paltry pay and perks, among others, the state seems to have felt the need

to address the concerns of its representatives at the village level.

The Ministry of Local Development is doing its bit to address the VDC secretaries’ concern. Spokesperson for the ministry Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya said today that the ministry would finalise a draft of the working plan designed to address the VDC secretaries’ demands in a couple of days.

“We are holding consultations with the Ministry of Home Affairs to provide security to the VDC secretaries and the Ministry of Finance to increase their salaries and allowances,” said Thapaliya. According to the MoLD, more than 300 VDC secretaries from 10 districts comprising Tarai and eastern hills and adjoining Dhading district have already tendered their resignation due to threats, extortions and intimidation.

“The ministry is planning to formulate a regulation to address VDC secretaries’ demands regarding recruitment, promotion and hike as the Public Service Commission does not look into the matter,” said Thapaliya.

Resources permitting, optimum maximum facilities be provided to VDC secretaries, he said. The local representatives have been urging the state to provide them security, increase salaries and allowances, declare murdered VDC secretaries martyrs, compensate the victims’ families and constitute a separate commission for their recruitment and appraisal.

In their capacity as the government’s local representatives, VDCs engage in development works and issue recommendations for passports and citizenships, among others.

There are 3,915 VDCs, 58 municipalities and 75 district development committees across the nation.