Lahan Municipality Staff, Teachers Face Four Months Without Salaries Amid Account Freeze Dispute

Siraha. Employees and teachers working in Lahan Municipality here have not received their salaries for the past four months. They have started complaining that they are facing difficulties managing their daily lives due to the non-receipt of salaries.

This problem arose after the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration froze all accounts of the municipality. Narayan Prasad Sah, the principal of a school, said, "Not only salaries and allowances since Mangsir, but also textbook funds, scholarships, mid-day meals, and school management grants have been stopped. Due to not receiving salaries, we are facing problems sustaining our livelihoods and paying interest on bank loans."

Mayor Mahesh Prasad Chaudhary stated that the main reason for the account freeze is the dispute over the transfer of the Chief Administrative Officer and political prejudice. He said, "There is no reason to keep the accounts here frozen, but a dispute has been created due to political prejudice and pressure. Although the Ministry assured us that the accounts would be unfrozen after the elections, there has been no action yet." He urged the Ministry to resolve this issue soon so that development construction and other works can move forward.

The Ministry had sought to transfer the former Chief Administrative Officer, Jayakanta Jha, and send Deputy Secretary Khima Bhujel from the education sector. However, the municipality had demanded an experienced Deputy Secretary from the administration sector. On the other hand, Jha, who has only six months left until retirement, had filed a case in the Administrative Court demanding a stay on his transfer. Although the court ordered to maintain the status quo on the transfer on Falgun 11, the Ministry has not yet unfrozen the municipality's accounts.

The employees submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry through the Area Administration Office on Sunday, warning of strong protests if salaries are not paid before the New Year 2083 and the Siruwa festival.