Multiple govt offices offer services from a building

BY NETRA SHAHI,Jumla, Dec. 28: Four government offices have begun providing services from a newly constructed, modern multi-storey integrated building in Jumla.

The five-storey building, completed in front of the District Administration Office at the Jumla district headquarters, now houses four offices that have relocated there. 

According to Jumla’s Chief District Officer, Deepak Paudel, four government offices have shifted to the integrated building and started delivering services from the new facility. These offices include the Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection Office, the Election Office, the Statistics Office, and the National Human Rights Commission office.

Previously, these offices operated from rented buildings scattered across various locations. With the completion of the integrated building and the relocation of offices to a single site, service delivery has become much more convenient for service seekers.

The five-storey building was constructed on land owned by the Industry and Consumer Protection Office. Following its completion, a decision was made to relocate additional offices based on district needs, informed District Coordination Committee Chairman Gaurinanda Acharya. He stated that the decision regarding which offices would move into the integrated building was made in 2018. Later, after the District Government Attorney’s Office remained at its original location, a revised decision was made to allocate space on the second floor to the National Human Rights Commission office.

Nearly Rs. 3 million saved in rent

With the offices shifting into the government-owned building, an estimated Rs. 2.5 to 3 million in annual rent will be saved. According to Mandirnath Yogi, Chief of the Industry and Consumer Protection Office in Jumla, the office had been paying Rs. 33,000 per month in rent, which is no longer necessary.

Similarly, the Statistics Coordination Office in Jumla had been paying Rs. 40,000 per month in rent, and its relocation has eased this financial burden. The Election Office has also been relieved from paying rent.

The National Human Rights Commission office had been temporarily housed in an old building owned by the District Coordination Committee after its earlier office was dissolved two years ago. When the committee began construction of a new building, the commission was compelled to move into rented space. Office Chief Kalpana Acharya stated that the office had been paying approximately Rs. 50,000 to 60,000 per month in rent for the past three years.

A modern landmark for district

The integrated building is being promoted as one of the most modern structures in the district. According to Chandra Khadka, Information Officer at the Urban Development and Building Construction Project Office, Jumla, the initial estimated cost allocated for the project was Rs. 85.72 million. 

The construction contract was awarded to Dafey Caravan JV for Rs. 64,099,699, and to date, payments totalling Rs. 55,868,976.45 have been made. Each floor of the building includes seven rooms, a reception area, a pantry, and separate public toilets for men and women. Khadka added that an elevator could also be installed in the future if budget provisions are made.