Kathmandu, August 6
A local government in the Tehrathum district of Province 1 has granted a public holiday on Friday after its deputy chief’s father-in-law died.
Following the announcement, the decision has invited severe criticism on social media.
The Menchhayayem rural municipality issued a notice this morning saying Krishna Prasad Gautam, the father-in-law of the local government’s vice-chairperson Gita Devi Timsina, died last night, hence all local offices including the local unit’s wards and schools would close on Friday.
Upon inquiry, the rural municipality’s chairman Yadav Bahadur Khapung says he decided to announce the holiday as authorised by the Local Government Operation Act.
“It is the vice-chairperson’s father-in-law whose house is close to the rural municipality office. Hence, the municipal officials join the funeral procession,” he says, “Hence, we gave leave for a day.”
