While the National Reconstruction Authority prepares to disburse housing reconstruction grants, VDC secretaries in the 14 worst-hit districts say they are overworked. Some of them have refused to work, making the delayed post-earthquake rebuilding process more uncertain.

On Thursday, seven VDC secretaries in Ramechhap returned the official stamps to the Local District Officer saying that they cannot work unless the government provides additional incentives and the practice of duty at more than one VDC ends at the village level.

Legally, a secretary has to handle affairs at a single VDC but currently most of the secretaries are looking after more than one VDC due to a short supply of the officials.

In a meeting with LDO Dinesh Raj Panta, secretaries led by Ramhari Adhikari handed over the office stamps saying that they are not in a position to bear additional responsibility of the VDC offices that are without the secretaries.

This has deprived people in seven VDCs of the government services. Secretary Adhikari announced that the remaining secretaries would also not be involved in any sort of reconstruction work unless the government provides incentives for extra work.

VDC secretaries have demanded 100 percent incentives (of their salary), appointment of secretaries to vacant positions and easing of the tough rules governing the post-earthquake rebuilding process.