On Friday morning, students in Bahudarmai Municipality resorted to vandalism and arson to protest against disruptions in education caused by the prolonged non-payment of teachers’ salaries. The situation escalated as the students broke into the municipal office, destroyed furniture, and set chairs and tables on fire on the street.
According to local resident Rohit Kumar, nearly all branches of the municipal office, except the accounts department, were ransacked. Documents were scattered across the floors, and office equipment was damaged.
Superintendent of Police Kumod Dhungel, who visited the scene, confirmed the investigation is ongoing. “The CCTV line was deliberately turned off,” he said. “Office furniture was taken out and set on fire. The case is under investigation.”
Unpaid Salaries for Six Months
Teachers in community schools under Bahudarmai Municipality have not received salaries since Shrawan. Despite holding a municipal assembly on Kartik 8, the mayor has yet to authorize budget expenditures, leaving funds unallocated.
The delay has affected 18 community schools employing 190 teachers, nine health posts with 47 health workers, and 75 municipal staff. The municipality estimates a monthly expenditure of NPR 11.8 million for salaries alone.
Impact on Healthcare and Development
The budget delay has also affected health services. Pregnant women visiting two birthing centers in the municipality (in Wards 4 and 9) have been unable to access government-provided financial support. Typically, NPR 800 is distributed for regular check-ups, and NPR 1,000 is given as transportation support for those delivering at the centers.
Development projects have come to a standstill. Dinesh Yadav, Chairperson of Ward 3, blamed the mayor for failing to certify the budget, halting construction and infrastructure projects. “Had the budget been approved on time, half of the ongoing development projects would have been completed by now,” said Yadav, who is serving his second term.
Legal and Administrative Deadlock
Under Nepal’s Local Government Operations Act, the municipal chief must submit an estimated revenue and expenditure plan for the next fiscal year by Ashad 10. However, the 11th municipal assembly presented the budget for FY 2081/82 nearly four months late, on Kartik 8. Even two months after its approval, Mayor Singhassan Sah Teli has not delegated the authority to the Chief Administrative Officer for budget disbursement.
The Act mandates that local leaders must authorize budget implementation within seven days of its approval by the assembly. Failure to comply has left Bahudarmai Municipality in administrative paralysis, affecting essential services, salaries, and development projects.
As the situation unfolds, the community awaits decisive action to resolve the budgetary impasse and restore normalcy to education, healthcare, and local development.
