LOCAL NEWS THE RISING NEPAL (DAILY)

TWO-DAY WEEKLY OFF
Escalating costs defeat rationale

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Jan 24: Almost two years ago when the then government decided to give two day weekly off days (Saturday and Sunday) within the Kathmandu valley, to reduce unnecessary expenditure on different headings like electricity, water, fuel and telephone, people believed that it would certainly work, however, the unbridled expenditure in the span of two years has made the concerned authority to think whether to continue it or scrap it.

The total expenditure on water and electricity two years ago, in the fiscal year 2054/2055 was, according to the Ministry of General Administration, Rs. 150 million which increased to Rs 200 million in the last fiscal year fiscal year. The expenditure on transportation has increased by almost Rs 20 million. According to Ramananda Mishra, Secretary at the Cabinet Secretariat said that the decision would be made soon whether to continue the existing system or scrap it. It is yet to be decided, he said. However, the source at the Ministry of General Administration informed that no changes would be made in the existing system.

Udaya Raj Soti, Secretary at the Ministry of Local Development while talking to Gorkhapatra, the sister publication of this daily, informed that the existing system would not be changed.

As there is a provision of two days off in the Civil Service Regulations (Second Amendment –2056) of 2055 (Clause 55-1), it has to be amended to scrap the existing system. In fact, the existing system came into force following the decision of the government in 2056 BS.

According to Mukunda Prasad Aryal, Secretary of Ministry of General Administration, the existing system is not going to be changed unless the Civil Service Regulations 055 regarding the number of days off is changed. Secretary Aryal claims that the expenditure on telephone has been significantly reduced owing to two day off system.

According to the Civil Service Regulations –2055 (Second Amendment – 2056) Clause 55- 2 " In case of the offices outside the Kathmandu valley, the office hours can be fixed by publishing notice in the Gazette."

It has been 17 months since the government has implemented the new system, but the general public do not feel at ease with the system. People from outside the Kathmandu valley often have problems due to two days being off. Govind Prasain from Gaur who had come to Kathmandu last month had to stay idle for a couple of days. Banking sector has also faced problems owing to two days being holidays.

Binod Bajracharya, an officer at Nepal Bank Limited, admitted that this weekly off days has created problems in transactions. He does not see any rationale behind two days off system in Nepal. Neither has it helped reduce unnecessary expenditures nor motivated people working in different government and non–government organisations.

Harihar Sharma, general manager of the Cultural Undertaking (National Theatre) says that the system is useless.

Sushma Aryal, a school teacher believes that the existing system of two days off has helped enhance work efficiency. To reduce the unnecessary expenditure in government offices, there should be strict monitoring system, she says.

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