KATHMANDU, Oct 7: Amid severe criticism and objection from civil servant unions, the government has decided to provide incentives amounting to 200 percent of pay to employees working at five major projects.
The Ministry of Finance (MoFA) took a decision to this effect two days ago in a bid to curb corruption and expedite work at the five largest projects. Previously, the government had been providing 200 percent allowances only to officials working at the customs and revenue offices.
The government´s fresh decision comes at a time when its previous decision on such allowances has been subjected to strong criticism. Civil servant organizations two weeks ago submitted a protest letter at MoFA demanding the scrapping of its earlier ´discriminatory´ decision.
“The government has decided to provide a maximum of 200 percent allowance to employees working at five projects, with the aim of controlling corruption that might take place at such projects,” a joint secretary at MoFA said. He added that the incentive allowances will not exceed 200 percent.
The projects selected for the allowances are the Drinking Water Project for Small Towns (Sana Shahari Khane Pani Aayojana), Mid Hill Lokmarga (Madhya Pahadi Rajmarga), Housing Program for People (Janata Awas Program), Kapilvastu, Rani Jamara Irrigation Project, Kailali and the Postal Highway (Hulaki Rajmarga).
Officials at MoFA said that the allowances will be released after assessing the performance indicator. Projects selected for the incentive allowance are required to develop performance indicators.
“If officials at the projects are not able to accomplish their work as per the performance indicators, the incentive allowances will not be released,” a joint secretary at MoFA said, reading out the government decision.
Officials, however, said the decision has been reached with the positive intention of controlling corruption. “If project officials are provided incentive allowances they will not take bribes,” the source argued. He added that the decision is also aimed at ending the tendency of embezzlement rife at projects and government offices.
The source claimed that the decision is aimed at motivating the employees. “Employees are expected to conduct their duties sincerely after getting the two-fold allowances,” he said.
Officials said the allowances will also put an end to the lackluster attitude of employees.
MoFA officials said that since the incentive allowances are released only after assessing performance, protests against the decision are meaningless.
Civil servant unions, on the other hand, have criticized the government´s fresh decision. “This is a discriminatory decision and is not fair to all employees,” said Mohan Ghimire, Secretary of the Nepal Government Employees Organization. Ghimire said that their organization will be compelled to launch street protests if the decision is not scrapped.
He also said the decision will lead officials to ask for transfers to the five projects concerned. “There will be pressure from employees seeking transfers to the projects concerned in the hope of earning more money,” Ghimire added.
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