• Absenteeism among local level staff affecting public 

Lamjung, July 24

Two months have passed since local level representatives assumed office in eight local units in Lamjung district.

However, the local levels have so far failed to deliver service efficiently due to absenteeism on the part of staff members.

Sunmaya Gurung, 70, of Sundarbazaar Municipality complained that she had a hard time getting her documents prepared for social security allowance.

She visited the municipal office three times but had to return empty-handed each time as the concerned staff member was not available.

“They sent me home saying that the accountant was absent. On other occasions, they told me that they were too busy due to workload,” Gurung said.  The plight of Pabitra Khadka from Sundarbazaar Municipality is no different. “People say we now get all facilities that are only available at Singha Durbar. But, it is very difficult to get our jobs done here,” Khadka bemoaned. Khadka complained that she was tired of visiting the municipal office time and again. According to her, the office does not even have a technician to consult on reconstruction work.

Som Bahadur Parajuli of Dordi Rural Municipality said he walked for three long hours to get to Dordi Rural Municipality office but had to return empty-handed after the office staff members were absent. Parajuli said he had visited the rural municipality office for counseling on construction of an earthquake-resistant house, but there was no technician to provide the service.