Bagmati Province Government Proposes Major Administrative Overhaul to Cut Costs

Hetauda. A high-level committee formed to streamline the performance of the Bagmati Province government has recommended a significant reduction in redundant staff. The committee has proposed a new organizational structure, cutting 701 staff positions.

The committee has drafted a 'slim but effective' administration plan by reducing the number of ministries and abolishing unnecessary posts in existing bodies. According to the report of the Provincial Administrative Restructuring Study and Suggestion Committee, led by former secretary Bimal Wagle, it is recommended to reduce the existing 5,138 positions to 4,437, a cut of 701.

The committee has recommended that the provincial government reduce lower-level (non-classified and support) staff while increasing the ratio of higher-level technical and expert personnel. The committee concludes that this measure will save approximately 490 million rupees annually in administrative expenses and eliminate duplication in service delivery.

The committee's recommendation to cut total positions by 13.64 percent will primarily affect office assistants, light vehicle drivers, and non-classified posts. This is estimated to result in an immediate annual saving of 485.6 million rupees.

The committee has proposed the abolition of five directorates, including the Provincial Policy and Planning Commission, the Communications Registrar's Office, and the Dairy Development Board, while recommending the merger of two others. It has suggested merging the Agriculture and Livestock Directorates and retaining the Education Development Directorate. It has also recommended the abolition of the Transport Infrastructure, Health, Industry and Commerce, and Forest Directorates.