हाम्रो बारेमा

The Ministry of Home Affairs, which was established in 2008 B.S., was renamed as the Ministry of Home and Panchayat Affairs after the political change of 2017 B.S. During the Rana regime, the offices of various levels of Bada Hakims (administrative chiefs) were established in designated Thums, Gaudas, or Ilakas (administrative centers) with the objective of conveying the orders, directives, and proclamations of the rulers to the citizens and enforcing them strictly. Rather than focusing on the protection of citizens' lives and property, these offices primarily aimed at controlling those who opposed the Rana rule and facilitating the continuation of the regime. The practice was that the Bada Hakims were appointed from among the trusted individuals of the ruling Rana families. Their main responsibilities were administrative control and ensuring compliance with the Sanads (decrees) and orders issued by the Ranas.

After Nepal was divided into 14 zones and 35 districts in 2018 B.S., and later into 75 districts, the position of Chief District Officer was established in each district as the administrative head and the chief representative of the Government. The report of the High-Level Decentralization Commission, 2020 B.S., placed the Panchayat Development Committee and the then Panchayat Development Officer under the Administration Branch of the District Office.

It was only after the implementation of the Local Administration Act, 2028 B.S., that the duties, responsibilities, and authorities of the Chief District Officer were clearly defined. In 2037 B.S., after separating Panchayat-related functions from the Ministry of Home Affairs, development-related activities began to be carried out through the Panchayat Development Ministry, while peace, security, and local administration-related functions started being performed through the District Administration Offices.

The primary responsibility of the Home Administration is to maintain peace, order, and security in the country and to protect the lives, property, and freedoms of the people. District Administration Offices were established with the objectives of strengthening and improving home administration, ensuring a sense of security among citizens, maintaining peace and public order, promoting good governance through effective service delivery, providing immediate rescue and relief during disasters, coordinating development activities, and acting as the principal representative of the Government at the district level under the leadership of the Chief District Officer.

Bardiya District was initially administered through the Banke-Bardiya Goshwara under the Office of the Bada Hakim located at Nepalgunj. Records show that in 2020 B.S., the office was established for the first time by renting a house located in the then Gulariya Village Development Committee Ward No. 1 (currently the area where the District Coordination Committee Office is located). The first Chief District Officer, Mr. Lokendra Raj Sharma, commenced his duties from that office. Following various political developments, the District Administration Office constructed its own building in 2063 B.S. at the present location of Gulariya Municipality Ward No. 6 and has been providing services from there.

The organizational structure of District Administration Offices is generally determined on the basis of the geographical area of the district, administrative center, workload, population distribution and urbanization, commercial and economic activities, electoral constituencies, and other relevant factors. It is a general service delivery office established to provide basic services and facilities to citizens by the Government. The major responsibility of this office is to maintain peace, security, and public order within the district. The organizational structure of the District Administration Office, Bardiya, has also been changing over time based on these principles.

In line with the Government of Nepal’s policy of making public services simple, accessible, and available at the people's doorsteps, two permanent administrative structures—Ilaka Administration Offices at Rajapur and Bansgadhi—have been established based on population and settlement patterns to provide services closer to the people. Mobile services are also conducted from time to time as required.

Previously, the Chief District Officer of Bardiya District was a Gazetted Second Class Officer; however, since 2050 B.S., the arrangement has been changed whereby a Gazetted First Class Officer serves as the Chief District Officer. The Ilaka Administration Offices at Rajapur and Bansgadhi, as well as the District Prison Office, Bardiya, are directly under the supervision of the District Administration Office.

For maintaining peace, security, and public order and ensuring a normal life for ordinary citizens, the District Administration Office continuously coordinates and maintains direct contact with Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, Nepal, other government agencies, national and international non-governmental organizations, communication media, and civil society. The District Administration Office serves as a bridge between the district, regional, and central levels and functions as the representative institution of the Government of Nepal at the district level.

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