Shortage of technical human resource at the Transport Management Service Office in Dumre, Tanahun, has affected the daily services.

“We have recently been delegated additional responsibilities of driving licence renewal and registration of truck body workshops. But we are unable to provide either of these services as the authorities concerned have not supplied the staff required for these jobs,” said Bishwo Kumar Shrestha, chief at the transportation office.

The office was set up in Bandipur Rural Municipality four years ago to provide transportation-related services to the people from Tanahun, Lamjung, Gorkha, Manang, and parts of Chitwan, Dhading and Kaski districts.

On September 11, the Cabinet meeting of Gandaki provincial government had delegated the power of driving licence renewal to the office. As per the Cabinet’s decision, the provincial executive had instructed the office to start the service immediately.
But the office has not initiated the service, citing lack of technical manpower.

According to Shrestha, the office does not even have a computer operator.

“The provincial government gave us additional responsibilities but did not make provisions for human resource. Driving licence renewal is done online but we don’t even have a computer operator,” said Shrestha.

The office has only been providing services like paying vehicle tax, providing route permits and renewal of permits, and filing vehicle income tax.

Around 100 service seekers visit the office for various services every day. Dhanpati Adhikari, a resident of Bandipur, reached the office a few days ago to renew his driving licence. But he was turned away by the office.

“When I reached the office I was told that I could not get my licence renewed there because of staff shortage. I had to travel to Pokhara to renew my licence,” said Adhikari.