Chief Minister of Province 1 Sherdhan Rai inaugurated the provincial government’s liaison office in Dhankuta on Sunday. The office has been set up in the building of the then regional administration office.

This development comes on the heels of Dhankuta locals protesting against the Provincial Assembly’s decision to make Biratnagar as the provincial capital on May 6.

Speaking at the inaugural function, CM Rai assured that the liaison office was not established as a ploy to placate the people of Dhankuta.

“Meeting of Council of Ministers will be held in the liaison office soon and some important decisions shall be taken. The provincial government will provide services to the people through service centres in every district,” said Rai.

Along with opening service centres in every district, CM Rai also pledged to open a provincial level medical college in Dhankuta.

According to the provincial government, posts of under secretary, section officer, Nayab Subba (non-gazetted first class officer, information officer and technicians have been managed in the liaison office. The liaison office is expected to carry out various works like hearing people’s complaints and monitoring development activities in the region. CM Rai on Sunday approved two development projects from the liaison office.

Dhankuta was the regional headquarters of eastern development region before Nepal was restructured into seven federal units. The people in Dhankuta had launched an indefinite strike after the Biratnagar was designated the temporary capital of Province 1 in 2017. They also took to the street when the Provincial Assembly endorsed Biratnagar as the permanent provincial capital.