Kathmandu, February 17
Three districts in Nepal are currently without a Chief District Officer (CDO), causing administrative and disaster management challenges.
Khotang, Okhaldhunga, and Makwanpur are without CDOs, raising concerns, especially during emergencies. On Sunday, when a fire broke out in Halesi Bazaar, Khotang had no CDO to oversee disaster response, complicating fire control efforts.
Khotang has been without a CDO for nearly two weeks after the previous officer retired due to the age limit. The Ministry of Home Affairs has yet to appoint a replacement.
Similarly, Okhaldhunga has been without a CDO for about one and a half months since Narayan Dhakal retired on December 31, 2024. Despite the vacancy, the ministry has not sent a replacement.
Makwanpur has been without a CDO since February 14, after the transfer of CDO Tirtharaj Chiluwal to the Ministry of Finance.
The absence of CDOs is particularly concerning in the winter season when fire incidents are more frequent. However, the Ministry of Home Affairs has not yet assigned new officers to these districts. Ministry spokesperson Ram Chandra Tiwari stated that preparations are underway to appoint CDOs as soon as possible.
Sources indicate that while some senior officials at the ministry remain without specific assignments, there is a notable preference among officials for postings in larger, more prominent districts. This preference has resulted in vacancies in smaller, hilly districts, as fewer candidates express interest in these positions.
