Kathmandu, April 3

The Rural Development Coordination Section of the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development has given its consent to all 75 district development committees to purchase a motorcycle each for the secretaries of village development committees linked with road network.

According to the MoFALD, the maximum amount that can be spent on each motorcycle is Rs 250,000. The DDCs will purchase motorcycles from the unconditional capital grant provided to the VDCs for the current fiscal.

“The decision aims to make service delivery of the village development committees prompt and effective,” a circular issued to the DDCs read. The Ministry of Finance has already approved the proposal of the MoFALD.

Any VDC secretary, who has obtained a driving licence, can avail of the benefit. The motorcycle will be a property of the concerned VDC office.

“A local development officer rides the vehicle of the concerned DDC office. VDC secretary will use the two-wheeler of the VDC in the same way,” an official at the MoFALD said.

As many as 2,739 out of 3,157 VDCs have access to motorable roads. Similarly, 262 VDCs are functioning sans secretary and some secretaries have been tasked with looking after two VDC offices. The decision to provide motorcycle is expected to help the secretaries carry out post-earthquake reconstruction works in a more effective manner.

The MoFALD said it will also take a decision regarding the amount of fuel to be provided to the VDC secretaries.