KALIKOT, April 2: Service seekers from far-flung villages in the district of Kalikot are still forced to come to the district headquarters for basic services as the elected representatives of the local bodies and government employees continue to stay in district headquarters by establishing liaison offices. The local representatives, as well as the government employees, have blamed lack of offices, banking and other facilities for being unable to live and work in their local units.
 
Locals are angry at the government's failure to depute government officials to the local units. "Locals are suffering more in the federal set up due to the traditional mindsets of the elected people's representatives," said Daman Raj Bam, a civil society activist in the district.
 
Ramesh Kumar Bam, a local of Thirpu, complained that neither the elected leaders not the civil servants have reached the offices of local units where they are supposed to work. "They are still living in the district headquarters," said Ramesh, adding, "They blame the absence of banks in local unit but it is not yet clear when the banks will provide their services in the local units." 

He said that the people at the local level are deprived of even the basic services as the government employees have refused to leave the district headquarters. Citing lack of offices at the local units, government officials are living in the district headquarters by establishing liaison offices there. 
 
Most municipalities and rural municipalities don't have their own building so officials are working in rented offices. "Since we don't have our own office, we don't have no alternative to working in a rented office," Khadgaraj Sejuwal, chairperson of Pachaljharana Rural Municipality, said. 

Chhakka Bahadur Shahi, acting chief executive officer, said they have no option to living in the district headquarters as there are no banks in the local units. "There is no banking facility in the local units. So, we have to stay here in the district headquarters." 

Khadachakra Municipality, which includes the district headquarters, is also functioning from a rented office. 

 
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