PHIDIM: The salary and Dashain bonus of teachers in Panchthar district is not released yet, as the biggest festival of Hindus, Dashain, is just a week away.

However, all the principals of community schools in the district had submitted the demand forms as per demand of the District Education Office (DEO).

However, they are waiting for the payment in the headquarters, Phidim, for past one week.

Due to the delay in release of the salary, not only the teachers who have to visit their homes outside the district, but also natives of the district are also in the problem.

According to Kamal Bhattari, a DEO Accountant, there are altogether 1,883 teachers in the district.

Nepal Bank Limited (NBL) is assigned to handle all the financial transaction of the teachers.

Hari Dahal, a NBL clerk, informed that the government has already released salary and bonus, but the Bank is yet to receive the amount.

Seranga Limbu, the NBL branch manager, informed that the ongoing strike in Tarai area has become an obstacle to bring banknotes of various denominations from the Nepal Rastra Bank.

Limbu also blamed insufficient staff at the Bank also delayed the payment.

District Education Officer, Raj Kumar Bishwokarma, claimed that the Office cannot be blamed for the delay in the payment as some of schools had delayed to submit the demand forms.