Koshi Province Assembly Committee Directs Government on 10-Point Reforms After Inspecting Transport Offices

Morang. The Justice, Administration, and Legislation Committee of the Koshi Provincial Assembly has issued a 10-point directive to the provincial government following on-site inspections of the province's transport management offices. Committee Chair Kamala Darnal submitted the inspection report to the Minister for Home Affairs and Law, Indramani Parajuli, on Monday, drawing attention to serious problems observed in service delivery.

The report particularly highlighted the dire condition of the transport office in Itahari, where service delivery is currently being conducted under tarps covering windows and doors after arson during the 'Gen-Z' movement destroyed important documents.

According to the report, parking issues are significant at the offices operating in small rented buildings in Dhankuta, Biratnagar, and Okhaldhunga. Furthermore, the committee concluded that there is a security challenge in transporting collected cash revenue to the bank by evening at the offices in Dhankuta, Ilam, and Udayapur due to the absence of bank branches. In Udayapur, where licensing and vehicle-related offices are located far apart, causing hardship for service seekers, the committee suggested managing both offices closer together.

In terms of legal reforms, the committee directed the government to resolve the legal complexities surrounding ownership transfer for vehicle owners residing abroad and to establish a clear provision for disability-friendly driving licenses for persons with disabilities. The government was also instructed to arrange for the practical driving test (trial) for electric vehicles to be conducted using electric vehicles. The report noted that although the Provincial Vehicle and Transport Management Act has been enacted, the 'Transport Management Committee' remains incomplete due to the non-nomination of representatives from labor unions, which is hindering its work.

The committee concluded that the morale of contract employees working for extended periods has dropped because they are not receiving a Rs 5,000 inflation allowance, which is directly affecting service delivery. The committee directed the government to immediately ensure a budget for organizing the Citizen Assistance Desk, improving technology, and constructing physical infrastructure. The general public in Koshi has been suffering for years due to the rampant presence of middlemen and a lack of physical infrastructure at the transport offices.