Aagya Khabar
Rautahat
The contract and daily-wage employees working at Katahariya Municipality in Rautahat have once again launched a protest movement. Citing the long delay in receiving their salaries and benefits, they have locked down the municipal office and all ward offices (wards 1 to 9) from Wednesday onwards.
Earlier, the employees had staged a similar protest before the Dashain and Chhath festivals. At that time, Mayor Ajay Prakash Jaiswal had assured them that all pending payments would be cleared before Chhath, leading to the suspension of the protest. However, with two weeks already passed since the festival and no progress made on their demands, the workers have resumed their agitation, shutting down offices once again.
According to the employees, both Mayor Jaiswal and Chief Administrative Officer Ganesh Nepali have repeatedly given verbal and written assurances but have failed to take any practical action. “They are trying to deceive us again,” said Mukunda Yadav, an employee from Ward No. 8. “All ward employees have collectively locked their offices and are keeping the keys with themselves.”
Similarly, Mukesh Kushwaha, a contract employee from Ward No. 1, warned that the protest would continue until their demands are met. “We have been working for months without being paid,” he said. “We can no longer trust empty promises.”
A few days ago, Mayor Ajay Prakash Jaiswal released a video message on social media, stating that the issue of contract employees would be resolved before Tihar. He said, “Once the employees submit the necessary documents, the process of salary distribution will move forward.” However, the process has yet to begin, deepening employee dissatisfaction.
Meanwhile, Planning Division Chief Ram Naresh Yadav said after a phone conversation with Chief Administrative Officer Ganesh Nepali that the entire process would be completed within three days and the salaries disbursed. But the protesting employees say they no longer trust such promises or deadlines.
Continuing their protest, the employees have warned the municipal administration:
