Kathmandu, December 24

Nine months after the local level elections, local governments throughout the country are running with only 40 per cent of the required number of staffers.

According to the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development, rural municipalities and municipalities need 3,000 non-gazetted employees.

Administrative Officer at MoFALD Rabindra Jung Thapa said, “Twenty-one municipalities, which are mostly in the remote areas, do not even have a section officer.”

Likewise, only 408 of 460 rural municipalities have section officer level administrative chiefs, while 52 rural municipalities are headed by non-gazetted employees.

“Most of the 3,146 Wards of the local levels do not have senior level employees as envisioned by acts related to local governance, he added.  Thapa also said that civil servants working in the capital were reluctant to be transferred to provincial as well as local levels.

“Recently, the Ministry of General Administration transferred 117 section officers to the local levels, but later the ministry itself cancelled the transfer of 46 officers.”

Civil servants in ministries other than MoFALD and MoGA have not shown any interest in transfer.   “The delay in formulation of civil servant adjustment regulation is one of the major reasons for non-fulfilment of employees at the local levels. Though the act related to employee adjustment was certified months ago, its regulation has not been formulated,” said Thapa, adding, “Civil servants are living in fear that they can be transferred anytime after the regulation comes into effect.”

A senior officer at the Ministry of General Administration said that nearly 3,000 staffers were required to carry out the functions of the provincial governments.

“All the staffers deployed at the local levels are currently only on deputation. They will be transferred after the regulation comes into effect.”

He said most of the civil servants have sought assurance of career growth after adjustment. “Their concerns can be addressed by the Parliament in future,” he added.