Kathmandu, April 9

The Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development has issued a circular to all metropolitan cities, sub-metropolitan cities, municipalities and rural municipalities directing them not to sanction leave of their executives without prior approval of the MoFALD.

The circular issued by Employee Administration and Internal Management Section of the MoFALD today read, “It is notified that executives of metropolitan cities, sub-metropolitan cities, municipalities and rural municipalities shall not leave their place of work without prior approval of this ministry. In case of failure to abide by this order, their leave or deputation shall not be sanctioned.”

The executives have also been directed to inform the ministry about their attendance in the office where they are deputed. “The concerned district coordination committee shall send to the ministry the details of employees who fail to turn up at their office. Similarly, the local development officer shall mobilise section officers deputed to the DCOs,” said the circular.

According to the MoFALD, a circular to this effect was issued to ensure that the budget and programme authorised for the current fiscal are implemented. It is also to ensure local bodies’ cooperation to the government in holding local level polls slated for May 14.

Separately, the ministry has written to 143 local levels selected for Public Participation Based Solar Street Light Programme to strictly follow technical specifications with standards prescribed by the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre. It also warned that some of the local levels had failed to abide by the standard while installing solar street lights. As per the standards, the life of solar panel, battery and solar light should have a warranty of 20 years, five years and two years respectively.