Kathmandu, January 9

Programme Coordination Unit under the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development yesterday directed as many as 41 municipalities to appoint one engineer each on contract basis for effective service delivery.

A circular issued to the concerned municipalities says, “As per the January 5 secretary-level decision of this ministry, 41 municipalities are hereby requested to hire one engineer each on contract basis for a period not exceeding 13 months.” The municipalities have also been directed to notify the Programme Coordination Unit of MoFALD following the appointment of engineers.

According to MoFALD, it will provide the municipalities with Rs 30,000 each from the budget of Local Governance and Community Development Programme for the fiscal year 2015/16. The provision of engineers aims to make service delivery of the local bodies more effective, ensure the quality of infrastructure planning and programme, and develop the culture of compliance with the National Building Code. It is also expected to gradually institutionalise such efforts of the local bodies and build up their capacity.

Of the 41 municipalities, 26 were declared municipalities as per the Cabinet meeting of September 18, 2015 and 15 are among the previously existing 58 municipalities.

The municipalities that have been directed to hire engineers are Bhadrapur, Khandbari, Siraha, Kalaiya, Ratnanagar, Kamalamai, Bidur, Kapilvastu, Tansen, Putali Bazaar, Gorkha, Gulariya, Dipayal-Silgadhi, Dasharath Chand, Amargadhi, Gauradaha, Laligunrans, Hanumannagar Yoginimai, Sukhipur, Dhangadhimai, Bajrabarahi, Kalika, Rapti, Barahathawa, Bhanu, Anbukhaireni, Madyabindu, Bhrikuti, Bhirkot, Rainas, Karaputar, Madhya Nepal, Bherimalika, Chaurjahari, Bagchaur, Shubhaghat Gangamala, Kamal Bazaar, Beldandi, Bedkot, Krishnapur and Babai.