National
Local unit chiefs deputed
The Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development has appointed 178 chief executives to the municipalities ahead of the local level elections scheduled for May 14.The Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development has appointed 178 chief executives to the municipalities ahead of the local level elections scheduled for May 14.
The ministry assigned civil servants to head the councils after the Election Commission instructed the government to deploy officials to the local units at the earliest.
The country has four metropolises, 13 sub-metropolises, 246 municipalities and 481 village councils. The ministry has retained the existing chief executives of the municipalities.
According to Kedar Nath Sharma, spokesperson for the ministry, the new chief executives were appointed temporarily. “Most of the deputed chief executives are newly promoted under-secretaries while some are section officers,” he said. The under-secretaries will head the municipalities while section officers will oversee affairs at the village councils. A joint-secretary leads a metropolis.
The newly promoted civil servants have been deputed as acting chief executives while the officers have got the status of an officiating chief executive. “The acting chief will become full chief executive after getting the promotion letter,” said Sharma.
The ministry has instructed the officials to reach their offices at the earliest, warning them of action as per the Election Code of Conduct if they fail to do so. There will be nine-member staffs in the newly formed municipalities or village councils. The old municipalities will have their existing staff. The ministry named executive officers for the 481 village councils on Thursday.