May 07, Kathmandu - Karnali Province, known for its remote and challenging geography, is facing a significant staffing crisis, with nearly one-quarter of positions vacant across its 79 local administrative units, according to the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers Office in Surkhet.

Out of a total approved 5,660 positions, only 4,297 are currently filled, leaving 1,363 vacancies, Chief Secretary Lakshmi Kumar BK reported. This shortage has led to many local bodies operating without adequate staff, impacting service delivery.

In detail, the education sector has 183 approved positions from grades 5 to 10, with 132 filled and 51 vacant. Engineering services have 1,055 approved posts, with 634 filled and 421 vacant, and notably, no staff are appointed in grades 9 and 10 in this sector.

Administrative services show 1,541 approved positions, with 1,064 filled and 477 vacant. The health sector has 1,884 approved posts, with 1,732 filled and 152 vacant. Agriculture services have 814 approved positions, with 577 filled and 237 vacant, while various other services have 183 approved posts, with 158 filled and 25 vacant.

Among the 79 local units, Dolpo Buddha Rural Municipality in Dolpa has only 15 staff members out of 53 sanctioned positions, highlighting severe understaffing. Conversely, Surkhet's Birendranagar Municipality has 116 staff members for 105 approved positions, with 11 staff members more than the sanctioned limit.

Secretary BK explained that in cases like Dolpo Buddha, the staff might be contracted rather than regular employees. The Chief Minister’s Office plans to request vacancy details from all local bodies and forward the information to the Province Public Service Commission to fill the vacant positions promptly.