Sources said the ministry has sent a proposal to this effect to finance ministry for approval as per the Home Administration Strengthening Plan 2068 BS unveiled by Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar. [break]
“A proposal to this effect has been sent to finance ministry. We will implement the decision as soon as we get the finance ministry´s nod,” said a senior official at home ministry.
Home ministry is planning to depute joint secretary level officers as CDOs in Ilam, Sindhuli, Sindhupalchowk, Dhading, Nuwakot, Gorkha, Syangja, Palpa, Gulmi and Baglung districts all of which constitute three election constituencies.
Though Bhaktapur district has only two election constituencies, the ministry is planning to depute a joint secretary as CDO in the district as well keeping in view its proximity to Kathmandu valley.
Officials said the decision was made considering work pressure, total population, growing urbanization and important facilitation and other works a CDO has to carry out in these districts.
Until now, under secretary level officers have been serving as CDOs in most hill districts. “A junior CDO finds it difficult to coordinate with other government bodies when, for instance, a senior under secretary level officer is deputed as local development officer in the district,” argued an official.
Last year, the ministry had decided to depute joint secretary-level CDOs to three hill districts including Kavrepalanchowk, Tanahun and Doti.
Home ministry has the highest number of first class officers.
Currently, 39 first class officers serve as CDOs in various districts including 22 Tarai districts.
Likewise, there are nine other positions of joint secretary under the home ministry including four in the ministry itself, two in immigration department, one each in Department of Prison Management and Police Record Keeping Office and one in the National Investigation Department.
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