Bijay Bhandari, chairperson of Simkot Rural Municipality in Humla, said, “It has been three years since I assumed this post, but the Chief Administrative Officer has been in my municipality for only nine months. Even now, there is no Chief Administrative Officer in Simkot Rural Municipality.”
There are seven local levels in Humla, but only two—Namkha and Tajkot—currently have Chief Administrative Officers. One of them is seeking a transfer, while the other has already left. “The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration makes the transfers, but officials rarely go to the remote areas where they are posted,” said Bhandari. “There is a tendency to transfer without even reporting to the assigned place. Employees do not want to work in remote areas.”
On Feb 23, Dharmaraj Gaire was transferred to Dipayal as Chief Administrative Officer of Siliguri Municipality. However, he is not there now, and the municipality is being run on an ad hoc basis by Shankar Shuikar. Out of the 39 deputy secretaries promoted on Feb 16, 15 were posted as Chief Administrative Officers in various municipalities and 24 as District Coordination Officers in different District Coordination Committees. But employees are actively working in only six places: Hariban Municipality (Sarlahi), Sankhuwasabha District Coordination, Rolpa District, Shivashatakshi Municipality (Jhapa), Mai Municipality (Ilam), and Duhabi Municipality (Sunsari). Thirty-two employees have already returned to central agencies. The District Coordination Committee in Achham has also been left vacant.
Frequent transfers have further disrupted postings. For instance, Jema Subba, posted to the Sunsari District Coordination Committee on May 22, was transferred to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies on July 31. Similarly, Mahesh Subedi, initially posted to the Panchthar District Coordination Committee, was later transferred to Lamjung District Coordination. Recently, officers in the Nepal Administrative Service, General Administration Group—Gazetted Third Class Branch—appointed through the Public Service Commission, were also transferred.
However, many of these employees never reported to the local levels to which they were assigned, such as Aamchowk and Ram Prasad Rai Rural Municipalities in Bhojpur. Some names do not even appear in published transfer lists. While most of those posted on Feb 16, were assigned to District Coordination Committees, their official websites show that only a few new appointees have actually assumed their posts. This reflects a growing problem: civil servants prefer to stay in Kathmandu or other accessible areas, avoiding assignments in municipalities and districts.
Although the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration transfers employees under political pressure and influence, many never reach their destination. Those who do often return within a short time. In some cases, local governments themselves send employees back due to conflicts of interest. There is also a mismatch between officers deputed by the federal government and the expectations of local representatives.
Joint Secretary and Ministry Spokesperson Kali Prasad Parajuli admits it is difficult to retain employees at the local level for political and other reasons. “We are working with chiefs and chairpersons to create an environment where employees can continue serving in the municipalities where they are assigned,” he said.
The recent change of minister has again revived commitments to reform transfer practices. Minister Bhagwati Neupane has promised to make transfers more systematic. Administrative expert Kashiraj Dahal argues that the problem persists because the Federal Civil Service Act has not yet been enacted. “There must be a system where employees report to their assigned posts based on clear criteria, and local governments ensure they assume their duties,” he said. “At present, the ministry does not formulate clear rules, employees avoid postings that are not in their favor, and local governments accept only those employees they prefer. These weaknesses create space for misuse at all levels.”
Former Public Service Commission Chairperson Umesh Prasad Mainali agrees, saying the problem arises because the central government continues to appoint employees, contrary to the spirit of the constitution. “As long as the central government controls appointments, disputes will persist,” he said, adding, “Transfers are frequently made prematurely or even as a form of punishment.”
Currently, around 200 local levels are functioning with acting officials. The government is preparing to fill vacant Chief Administrative Officer positions by reallocating excess employees from other ministries. Minister Neupane has proposed deploying undersecretaries and branch officers—who have been promoted in other ministries but not yet posted at the local level—to fill the gap.
In metropolitan cities, joint secretaries serve as Chief Administrative Officers by position. However, most of the 11 sub-metropolitan cities do not have Chief Administrative Officers as per the post. Except for Jitpur Simara, these positions are being filled by senior or acting officials. According to Parajuli, joint secretaries are posted in metropolitan and sub-metropolitan cities, deputy secretaries in municipalities, and branch officers in rural municipalities. Where there is no Chief Administrative Officer, the senior-most official is serving in an acting capacity.
Currently, there are about 950 deputy secretaries in the general administration group of the civil service. These include Chief Administrative Officers in 276 municipalities, District Coordination Officers, Assistant Chief District Officers, and Chief Land Revenue Officers in 77 districts. Around 400 deputy secretaries are working in ministries, secretariats, commissions, and departments at the center. Yet, most prefer to remain in central postings rather than serve in the field.
