Kathmandu, February 4

Separate training programmes were held for elected representatives and civil servants in Chandragiri Municipality, according to Mayor Ghanashyam Giri.

“The training programmes were aimed at minimising conflict between civil servants and elected representatives at the local level,” said Giri, adding that the municipality was also planning to provide training to ward members.

According to Mayor Giri, experts from various fields, including secretaries of ministries, were invited to impart training to government employees and elected representatives. He said the training programme was effective as it helped resolve misunderstanding between government staffers and people’s representatives.

Administration expert Kashi Raj Dahal, one of the trainers, said conflict between elected representatives and government staffers would come to an end after the government completed the civil servants’ adjustment process. “Several types of employees — civil servants, permanent employees hired by local levels, employees hired on contract basis and employees sent on deputation — have been working at local levels,” said Dahal, adding that most of the problems would be settled once the civil servants’ adjustment process is completed.

Balananda Paudel, chief of the now-defunct Local Level Restructuring Commission, said tussles between elected representatives and civil servants could be resolved by organising such training.

“The conflict arose between them as elected representatives wanted their orders, whether legal or illegal, to be implemented,” said Paudel. He said both government staffers and elected representatives should understand each other’s role.  Elected representatives also should not assign personal work to staffers, according to Paudel.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development Rudra Singh Tamang said both elected representatives and civil servants should try to adjust themselves in the changed circumstances. He added that government employees also had to be responsible towards their duties and responsibilities.