The tussle between government officials and politicians has slowed the ongoing relief works in the earthquake-affected districts. The government officials have claimed that the obstruction caused by local politicians and lawmakers has kept them from conducting the relief program in a planned and systematic manner.

Meanwhile, the lawmakers representing the electorates in need of relief have said that in the absence of elected bodies, they and their party activists are the people’s representatives and should have a larger role and involvement in relief works. In a meeting of the Development Committee of Parliament on Friday, Chief Secretary Leelamani Paudyal said problems have surfaced at the district level as the lawmakers and local politicians are pressing the government officials to mobilize more relief in their constituencies. “Our district-level officials are frustrated as the lawmakers want to take the relief package to their voters,” said Paudyal. Moreover, some lawmakers are reportedly taking relief materials directly from the center instead of distributing them through the local administration.

On Thursday, Chief District Officer of Kavre Sudarsan Dahal was reportedly manhandled by local political activists, demanding their “role in relief distribution”. Nepali Congress (NC) Vice-President Ram Chandra Poudel, who reached the district for the purpose of monitoring the relief distribution, urged the local administration to work in coordination with political parties and leaders. The common resolution motion endorsed by Parliament on Wednesday states that an all-party mechanism will be formed to facilitate the tasks related to relief, reconstruction, and rehabilitation. NC lawmaker Jagadish Narasingh KC demanded the transfer of the District Administration Officer, saying that he is failing to provide relief materials on time. “Due to the bureaucratic hassles, it has been very difficult to carry out the relief, reconstruction, and recovery process in the district,” said KC. The committee has directed the government to speed up the tasks related to reconstruction and rehabilitation. It has also asked the government to make preparations to supply the basic needs for the monsoon season and bring strict policies for the implementation of building code.