Himalayan News Service

Taplejung, January 24

Three teachers are strapped for their salary payment because the bank has thrown up its hands, saying it does not have the money to encash their cheques. For the last four days, they are in limbo. One said that he had already spent one-fourth of his salary on hotel room payment.

Since Tuesday, Hari Kadaria, principal of Jashoda Primary School, Narendra Gautam, principal of Ganga Primary School and Pravin Basnet of Limbudin Primary School are reduced to sitting in the bank premises, twiddling their thumbs. Their payment shows no signs of arriving.

A fuming Kadaria said, "Many colleagues who came with me have already got their payment and have left, but my cheque is showing no signs of being cashed." The bank staff explained their cheques had been delayed as the bank did not have the requisite cash. The furious teachers retorted that those who bribed the bank staff Rs 500 were immediately given their payment.

Asked about the matter, the acting manager of the bank, Netra KC, said, "The bank is full of teachers waiting for their salaries as the district education office sends all of their cheques at once. This might be the cause for the delay." Regarding alegations of staff asking for bribes for clearing the payment on cheuqes, he claimed that "such a shocking thing" could not happen in the bank.