The VDC secretaries in Rasuwa district have launched an indefinite protest, refusing to take responsibilities of other VDCs without secretaries.  

The earthquake victims and the authorities concerned have been worried by this move as it could affect the post-earthquake recovery and rehabilitation.

Putting forward a four-point demand, the district chapter of VDC Secretary Rights Protection Centre started the protest on Sunday, effectively halting the works in seven VDCs that do not have secretaries.

Only 11 out of 18 VDCs in Rasuwa have secretaries. Dhaibung, Laharepauwa, Bhorle, Haku, Syaphru, Thuman and Goljung VDCs do not have secretaries.

On Sunday, the agitating VDC secretaries submitted their demands to the District Development Committee.  Their demands include appointment of secretaries in seven VDCs those VDCs.

They have already submitted their demands to the Local Development Ministry.

“We will completely halt our works if our demands are not addressed by the end of April. The government should be responsible for the consequences,” said Purna Bhandari, the district chairman of the centre.  

Meanwhile, the earthquake victims in the district have expressed concern that the already delayed reconstruction works was facing another hurdle.  

“We will be forced to live in temporary shelters if the VDC secretaries stop their works,”said Jiba Prasad Neupane, a quake victim from Dhaibung-5.

Lal Bahadur Basnet, the acting chief at the sub-regional office of the National Reconstruction Authority, said that the reconstruction works will be affected by the protest.

“The reconstruction works cannot be done without the VDC secretaries. The relief amount allocated to the victims to reconstruct homes cannot be distributed without the signature of the VDC secretary,” said Basnet.