With the absence of secretaries in VDC offices, service seekers are compelled to visit the district headquarters to get their works done. Mohan Keshari, secretary of Dharampur VDC has been staying in his own house in Gaur and has been running a grocery shop. “He also carries out the functions of VDC secretary from this very shop,” said Subodh Chaudhary, a local of Ramauli Bairiya VDC- 9, adding, “Due to the negligence of VDC secretary, we have to wait for weeks and sometimes even months to get our works done. The VDC secretaries are staying in the district headquarters on one or the other pretext.” [break]
Likewise, secretary of Bairiya VDC Govinda Shriwastav also runs a book shop at BP Chowk of Gaur. He also carries out the functions of the VDC secretary from his residence.
More than two dozen VDC secretaries have been staying in the district headquarters. Most of them have been carrying out their functions from the Gaur municipality office, said the locals.
Some secretaries, however, say that they are yet to rejoin their office as they have still been receiving threats from cadres of several political parties.
“Last year, Birendra Prasad Gupta, secretary of Mohammadpur VDC had signed a decision under pressure from political carders,” said Netra Prakash Sharma, president of VDC Secretary Welfare Protection Forum. This was followed by the murder of secretary of Gangapipra VDC Ram Briksha Raut by an underground outfit. Since the VDC secretaries have not returned to their villages.
Though activities of underground outfits have waned recently, VDC secretaries still face threats from political parties, said Gupta, adding, “Secretaries occasionally visit the VDC despite threat from political carders.”
Of total 96 VDCs in the district, around 26 VDCs are currently without the VDC secretaries. Many of the secretaries have been assigned to look after more than two VDCs, said Local Development Officer of Ratahat Bikash Adhikari. “We are aware that many of the secretaries have not returned to their villages. We will take action against them.”
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