Local levels of Surkhet without own buildings

By Rajani Yogi,Bulbule, Aug. 14: Barahatal Rural Municipality, a local level in the western part of Surkhet district, has been unable to construct a proper building for itself in seven years since its establishment.

Barahatal started operating from the old building of the then Kunathari Village Development Committee (VDC). However, the VDC’s building is small and in a dilapidated condition.

Nevertheless, Barahatal has been providing services through congested spaces. The majority of the ward offices of Barahatal are also operating from rented rooms.

“The rooms are small. Moreover, when it rains, water enters inside from every side. We are operating somehow,” said Bhim Bahadur Bhandari, chairman of Barahatal Rural Municipality.

Several files at the local level have been damaged by the water entering the office during the rain. The rural municipality also does not have separate rooms for designated sections.

“Despite the challenge, we have not been able to start the process of constructing a proper building because we do not have enough money. The DPR for the building is ready though,” said Bhandari.

According to Bhandari, Barahatal planned to lay the foundation stone for its new building this fiscal year if the budget was assured.

However, Barahatal is not the only local level of Surkhet without its own building.

Bheri Ganga Municipality of the district has also been operating from the old building of the then Chhinchu VDC. “The municipality has been bound to provide services in a disorganised way due to lack of a building,” said Yagya Prasad Dhakal, Mayor of Bheri Ganga.

Designated sections under the Bheri Ganga Municipality are scattered in different places.

“A building is being constructed. We are waiting for its completion at the earliest to provide services effectively,” said Mayor Dhakal.

Bheri Ganga has estimated Rs. 60 million for the building being constructed. The municipality allocated Rs. 10 million in the last fiscal year. “Work possible under Rs. 10 million allocated last 

year has been completed. Additional Rs. 10 million has been allocated this year and the provincial government has provided Rs. 5 million,” said Mayor Dhakal.

Likewise, Chingad Rural Municipality is also providing services by renting five houses. 

“The service seekers face difficulty to find the section or office they are looking for. They need to travel 10 kilometres for banking services,” said Bodh Bikram GC, chairman of Chingad Rural Municipality. According to GC, there is a dispute 

in the construction of an administrative building for the rural municipality which is pending in the Supreme Court. 

On the other hand, it is not only the local levels in Surkhet that lack an administrative building. The scenario is similar in many local levels across Karnali Province.

“We are renting a house at Rs. 55,000 per month as our building. The house is small causing difficulty to address the problems of the service seekers,” said Bam Bahadur KC, chief administrative officer of Gurans Rural Municipality in Dailekh district.