ACHHAM, June 19 -- Nabina Shahi of Kalekanda village in Panchadeval Binayak Municipality-9 recently went to the ward office to prepare the birth certificate of her newborn child. She had to return home empty-handed and disappointed. The ward office didn't have a single official who was authorised to prepare birth certificates.

"I had heard that a baby's birth certificate should be prepared within 35 days of birth in order to receive the nutrition incentives the ward office provides," Shahi said. "But none of the officials were present there."

The federal government's introduction of the Staff Adjustment Programme has led to transfer of government employees to various districts from their original location. Consequently, most of the loca...