Lead / Hook

14 Baishakh, Saptari. The birthing center built in Kachan village of Bodebarsain Municipality-8, Saptari, has been left incomplete and idle for four years, denying local women safe delivery care and regular reproductive health services. Residents complain the structure was started under the Federal Constituency Development Program but work stopped after the program ended. According to complaints, only partitions, windows, doors, paintwork and the compound wall remain to be done at the building. Records and ministry documents show construction began in 2076/077 and stalled around 2079/080, local authorities and the consumer committee claim. Baijnath Chaudhary, ward chair of Bodebarsain-8, said the issue has not appeared on the municipality executive’s agenda even after four years. Baijnath Chaudhary — Ward Chair, direct interview, Kachan, 16 Baishakh 2083, and face-to-face. Gajendra Nath Sharma — Chief Administrative Officer, Bodebarsain Municipality, direct interview, municipality office, 18 Baishakh 2083.

Human face

"We have to travel three hours to reach a hospital when delivering; sometimes we don’t get an ambulance and sometimes money is the problem," said a mother who requested a name change. Name-changed mother — patient, confidentiality requested, written consent obtained, interview, Kachan, 15 Baishakh 2083; audio record secure file: BirthCenter_Kachan_16Apr2026.wav — newsroom archive.

The woman said the lack of local maternity services has exposed her and her family to both financial and physical risks; she added that on one occasion an emergency delivery at night worsened because a doctor could not be reached in time. Name-changed mother — patient, confidentiality requested, written consent obtained, interview, Kachan, 15 Baishakh 2083; audio record secure file: BirthCenter_Kachan_16Apr2026.wav — newsroom archive.

Local resident Billat Das said, "The municipality understands the need but I don’t see any effort to allocate the budget." Billat Das — local citizen, direct interview, Kachan sub-tol, 17 Baishakh 2083.

Project journey and documents status

It is claimed in local records that construction began under the Federal Constituency Development Program and that then-member of the House of Representatives and Minister for Youth and Sports Tej Lal Chaudhary secured the budget allocation. According to local records, the initial grant and initial work on the plan started in 2076/077 and a consumer committee was formed in 2077/078. The committee allegedly spent Rs 60,000 in the early phase; consumer committee chair Arun Chaudhary said the expenses shown under execution included payments for contracts, petrol and labor. Arun Chaudhary — Consumer Committee Chair, direct interview, Kachan, 17 Baishakh 2083. Some of the bills/receipts provided by the consumer committee have been obtained while some booking/spreadsheet documents are unavailable; an RTI request (BDN-RTI-01) has been filed for a list of available receipts and a basic expense breakdown. BDN-RTI-01 — RTI request, Bodebarsain Municipality Office (documents on consumer committee expenses), sent 2026/04/20; response pending as of 15 Jestha 2083.

Chief Administrative Officer Gajendra Nath Sharma said the unfinished building still requires partitions, windows, doors, paintwork and the compound wall, and he assured the municipality would allocate budget from the upcoming municipal assembly to complete it. Gajendra Nath Sharma — Chief Administrative Officer, Bodebarsain Municipality, direct interview, municipality office, 18 Baishakh 2083.

Local records show similar incompletion issues at birthing centers in Simraha (Municipality-9) and Khadakpur (Ward-10); those buildings reportedly remain unfinished with plastering, windows, doors and paintwork outstanding. According to ward chair and consumer committee records, progress at all three centers is only partial. BDN-RTI-03 and BDN-RTI-04 have been filed for details on Simraha and Khadakpur. BDN-RTI-03 — RTI request, Bodebarsain Municipality (Simraha birthing center documents), sent 2026/04/20; response pending as of 15 Jestha 2083. BDN-RTI-04 — RTI request, Bodebarsain Municipality (Khadakpur birthing center documents), sent 2026/04/20; response pending as of 15 Jestha 2083.

While we received preliminary proof for the consumer committee’s claim of Rs 60,000 in spending (some petrol and labor receipts), we have requested the full spreadsheet and original copies of all bills and filed an RTI (BDN-RTI-02) for those documents. BDN-RTI-02 — RTI request, consumer committee expense spreadsheet and bills (Kachan birthing center), sent 2026/04/20; response pending as of 15 Jestha 2083. Among receipts obtained are some petrol and labor receipts; however, contract documents and detailed bills for sitting allowances are missing. Receipts provided by the consumer committee — consumer committee, physical receipt copies (available for exhibition), Kachan, 17 Baishakh 2083.

Responsible parties and response

"We are preparing to advance the process to review the budget and present priorities to the municipal assembly," Chief Administrative Officer Gajendra Nath Sharma said. Gajendra Nath Sharma — Chief Administrative Officer, Bodebarsain Municipality, direct interview, municipality office, 18 Baishakh 2083.

Ward Chair Baijnath Chaudhary said, "Even though four years have passed since the election, I have demanded that the municipality get this project underway, but so far it appears not even to have been put on the executive meeting agenda." Baijnath Chaudhary — Ward Chair, direct interview, Kachan, 16 Baishakh 2083.

Consumer committee chair Arun Chaudhary emphasized that after the constituency development program ended, the local government should allocate budget to operate the facility. Arun Chaudhary — Consumer Committee Chair, direct interview, Kachan, 17 Baishakh 2083.

Local health workers said, "If the center is put into operation, the risk of maternal and newborn deaths in the state will decrease; being forced to travel farther than the nearest district hospital increases chances of complications." Local health worker (name withheld), direct interview, health post, Kachan, 17 Baishakh 2083; confidentiality requested and written consent obtained. A preliminary report provided by the local Health Development Office observed an increase in outreach clinics and referrals. Local Health Development Office — office report, Kachan outreach data, 2079–083, copy obtained; additional data requested via RTI (BDN-RTI-05). BDN-RTI-05 — RTI request, Local Health Development Office, maternity/referral data 2079–083, sent 2026/04/20; response pending as of 15 Jestha 2083.

Systemic risks and accountability

The annual audit report 2081/82 reportedly flagged some irregularities at the Infrastructure Development Office, Saptari, according to a public audit note; those sections noted risks in expenditure and project monitoring through consumer committees. Infrastructure Development Office, Saptari — annual audit report, 2081/82; copy requested for citation; requested; response pending as of 15 Jestha 2083. The audit sections reviewed suggested that when constituency development programs end without clear standards for budget transfer and responsibility handover, projects can be left stranded. Infrastructure Development Office, Saptari — annual audit report (reference sections), 2081/82; copy requested; requested; response pending as of 15 Jestha 2083.

Weak structure and transparency in local consumer committees appear to limit effective monitoring of spending and work; federal-level Maoist/social service organizations and civil society representatives have also suggested the need for monitoring mechanisms and transparency provisions. Local NGO representative (name and organization requested) — direct interview, Kachan, 18 Baishakh 2083; detailed response requested in writing.

Health outcomes and available preliminary data

A preliminary note from the Local Health Development Office indicates a general increase in delivery referrals over the past five years, signaling limited local access. Local Health Development Office — office report, Kachan outreach data, 2079–083, copy obtained; detailed data requested via RTI (BDN-RTI-05). Our initial fieldwork found key indicators: increased percentage of referrals, limited use of ambulances, and incidents where emergency delivery cases did not receive timely services. Additional documentary evidence related to these claims has been requested from the local office and the district hospital. District Hospital (reference: Saptari District Hospital) — referral and emergency delivery records, 2079–083; copy requested; requested; response pending as of 15 Jestha 2083.

Local health workers said in a preliminary assessment that bringing the birthing center into operation would reduce minimum economic burden and risks by providing safe delivery services at home or nearby. Local health worker (name withheld) — direct interview, health post, Kachan, 17 Baishakh 2083; confidentiality requested and written consent obtained.

Solutions and policy suggestions

Short term:

  • The municipal assembly should urgently allocate an emergency budget to complete the remaining works at the birthing center (windows, doors, painting, compound wall). The municipality’s formal report is needed for direct proposals and documentation. Bodebarsain Municipality — municipal assembly agenda/budget proposal, copy requested; requested; response pending as of 15 Jestha 2083.

  • Temporarily, increase mobile birthing clinic visits and outreach by health workers and strengthen coordination of ambulance services. Local Health Office — service coordination proposal, 2078–083, copy requested; requested; response pending as of 15 Jestha 2083.

Medium and long term:

  • Province and federal bodies should prepare policy guidelines to ensure standards for project completion and responsibility transfer when constituency development projects end. Infrastructure Development Office, Saptari — audit recommendations/forecast section, 2081/82; copy requested; requested; response pending as of 15 Jestha 2083.

  • Increase transparency of consumer committees by publishing all bills and spreadsheets online and mandating third-party audits. Consumer committee expense documents (preliminary receipts) — Consumer Committee, Kachan, 17 Baishakh 2083; RTI (BDN-RTI-02) filed for more bills; response pending as of 15 Jestha 2083.

  • Create community monitoring platforms, led by local civil society and women’s groups, to ensure health service access. Local NGO representative — direct interview, Kachan, 18 Baishakh 2083; detailed plan requested.

Legal and ethical considerations

Consent forms for the mother and other personal sources have been archived and legal counsel will be sought if necessary before publication. Name-changed mother — confidentiality requested, written consent obtained (documents archived), /face-to-face interviews, Kachan, 15 Baishakh 2083; audio record: BirthCenter_Kachan_16Apr2026.wav — newsroom archive. All standards of privacy and sensitivity have been followed and, if further proof is needed, legal coordination with experts is ready. Legal counsel requested — newsroom legal team, email request sent 2026/04/21; response pending as of 15 Jestha 2083.

Conclusion / Close

Kachan’s unfinished birthing center is not just bricks and walls; it is a promise of accessible maternal care and lives saved for local women. When electoral funds and political priorities change, continuity of services can be weak, and poor and vulnerable communities suffer the most. Without local leadership, municipal budget management and transparency, and provincial-national policy adjustments, such stranded projects can have long-term effects on health. Once the documents and RTI responses we requested arrive, we will provide further documentary analysis and public disclosure. Immediate, planned action is needed to prioritize the lives and health of local women. Baijnath Chaudhary — Ward Chair, direct interview, Kachan, 16 Baishakh 2083; Gajendra Nath Sharma — Chief Administrative Officer, Bodebarsain Municipality, direct interview, municipality office, 18 Baishakh 2083; name-changed mother — patient, confidentiality requested, written consent obtained, interview, Kachan, 15 Baishakh 2083.

Sources

  1. Baijnath Chaudhary — Ward Chair, direct interview, Kachan, 16 Baishakh 2083.

  2. Gajendra Nath Sharma — Chief Administrative Officer, Bodebarsain Municipality, direct interview, municipality office, 18 Baishakh 2083.

  3. Name-changed mother — patient, confidentiality requested, written consent obtained, phone/face-to-face interviews, Kachan, 15 Baishakh 2083; audio record secure file: BirthCenter_Kachan_16Apr2026.wav — newsroom archive.

  4. Arun Chaudhary — Consumer Committee Chair, direct interview, Kachan, 17 Baishakh 2083.

  5. Billat Das — local citizen, direct interview, Kachan sub-tol, 17 Baishakh 2083.

  6. Preliminary receipts provided by the consumer committee — Consumer Committee, physical receipt copies, Kachan, 17 Baishakh 2083.

  7. BDN-RTI-01 — RTI request, Bodebarsain Municipality Office (documents on consumer committee expenses), sent 2026/04/20; response pending as of 15 Jestha 2083.

  8. BDN-RTI-02 — RTI request, consumer committee expense spreadsheet and bills (Kachan birthing center), sent 2026/04/20; response pending as of 15 Jestha 2083.

  9. BDN-RTI-03 — RTI request, Bodebarsain Municipality (Simraha birthing center documents), sent 2026/04/20; response pending as of 15 Jestha 2083.

    1. BDN-RTI-04 — RTI request, Bodebarsain Municipality (Khadakpur birthing center documents), sent 2026/04/20; response pending as of 15 Jestha 2083.
    1. BDN-RTI-05 — RTI request, Local Health Development Office, maternity/referral data 2079–083, sent 2026/04/20; response pending as of 15 Jestha 2083.
    1. Infrastructure Development Office, Saptari — annual audit report, 2081/82; copy requested; requested; response pending as of 15 Jestha 2083.
    1. Local Health Development Office — office report, Kachan outreach data, 2079–083; copy obtained; additional detailed data requested via RTI (BDN-RTI-05).

  • (Note: The RTI requests and document responses listed above are currently pending; we will publish further documentary confirmation and analysis once they are received.)