Kathmandu June 13:

The Chief Minister Employment Programme has come into effect in all the eight local levels of Jumla. Every local level including one municipality and seven rural municipalities have received a budget of Rs. 6.4 million each for the programme. The programme worth Rs. 50 million aims at creating employment opportunities for the unemployed and those affected by the COVID-19. It is implemented under joint collaboration between the social development offices under the Karnali State Social Development Ministry in the districts and local level concerned, according to Chief of Social Development Office in Jumla Balbir Sunar. In Patarasi rural municipality, the households identified as very poor and those finding it difficult to run the household expenses due to the ongoing lockdown have been provided employment, said the chief administrative officer, Tek Bahadur Budhthapa. Likewise, of the 1,785 people enlisted under the employment management information system in Himal rural municipality, 339 of them have been provided 20 days of work based on prioritization, according to employment coordinator Dipendra Poudel. They are working on a school building project and fencing project. Of the total project allocated for the programme, 70 per cent has to be spent on the wages for the workers and remaining for procuring necessary goods for the project, sub-engineer Prem Bahadur Shahi said. Likewise, the Tatopani rural municipality has implemented the CM employment programmes while Tila, Guthichaur, Kankasundari, Chandan Nath municipality and Sinjha rural municipalities will begin from mid-June, the Office said.