Surnaya rural municipality without chief administrative officer for two months

Baitadi: Surnaya Rural Municipality in Baitadi has remained without a Chief Administrative Officer for the past two months, leading to disruptions in its financial and administrative services.

Following the transfer of the municipality’s Chief Administrative Officer, Basanta Bahadur Dhanuk, to the Election Commission on Kartik 25, a replacement has yet to be arranged.

The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration had transferred Branch Officer Khagendra Bharti as the new Chief Administrative Officer of Surnaya Rural Municipality on Poush 26. However, before he could report to the rural municipality, he was re-transferred to the District Election Office, Baitadi. Bharti is currently working at the District Election Office.

Rural Municipality Chairman Ammar Bahadur Kunwar said that financial and administrative activities have come to a standstill due to the absence of a Chief Administrative Officer. He stated that the issue has not been resolved despite repeated requests to the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration.

“The absence of a Chief Administrative Officer has affected employee salaries, social security allowances and development work,” Kunwar said. “We have repeatedly informed the ministry, but no arrangements have been made so far.” He added that delays in the distribution of social security allowances have left beneficiaries disappointed.

Previously, the rural municipality had been locked down for 39 days under the leadership of the Genji group, which raised various demands. Although the lockout was lifted after an agreement was reached, Chairman Kunwar said that implementation of the agreement has become difficult due to the lack of a Chief Administrative Officer.

According to Kunwar, the problem is becoming more complicated as elections approach. “Once the election code of conduct is implemented, employee transfers will not be possible, so it is necessary to arrange a Chief Administrative Officer in a timely manner,” he said.

Meanwhile, employees currently working in the rural municipality are also reluctant to assume the responsibility of Chief Administrative Officer. As a result, service delivery, development activities and social security programs in the rural municipality continue to be affected.