Key Takeaways:

• 100+ contract employees unpaid for 3–7 months, stage peaceful sit-in
• Workers demand immediate release of salaries and allowances
• Municipality says Rs20m required, payments delayed due to inactive account
• Acting mayor pledges arrears cleared by Asoj 15 (Oct 1)

RAUTAHAT, SEPTEMBER 1 More than 100 contract employees of Gadhimai Municipality have gone without salaries and allowances for up to seven months, prompting them to stage a sit-in at the municipal office demanding immediate payment. The employees, working across various wards, sections and offices of the municipality, began the peaceful protest seeking clearance of their outstanding wages and an end to what they described as discrimination against contract workers. Employee Ram Pujan Rai said the authorities should take the workers' concerns seriously and immediately release their overdue salaries and allowances. Another employee, Rakesh Patel, said the protest would continue until their demands were addressed. He also warned that the municipality would be responsible if any untoward incident occurred during the agitation. The municipality, however, said it currently cannot process the payments because its bank account is not operational. Acting Chief Administrative Officer Nagendra Yadav said the municipality would require around Rs 20 million to settle the outstanding salaries and allowances of the contract employees. He said more than 100 contract workers have arrears ranging from three to seven months and that the payment process would begin once the municipal account becomes operational. Acting Mayor Smita Kumari Yadav has meanwhile pledged to clear all outstanding salaries and allowances of the contract employees by Asoj 15 (October 1). The sit-in was continuing peacefully at the municipal office premises.