Chief District Officer

Chief District Officer (commonly known as CDO) is an administrative rank under Ministry of Home Affairs in Nepal who is appointed by the government as the highest administrative officer in a district. The main guideline to CDO for his/her administration is 'Local Administration Act, 1972. The C.D.O is responsible for proper inspection of all the departments in a district such as health, education, security and all other government offices. In case of threatened public security conditions like riots, she/he can mobilize security forces and take other actions like imposing curfew order, fixing restricted area, arresting anyone according to law, hearing some cases as quasi-judicial body etc. Distributing the Certificate of Nepalese Citizenship,Processing and recommendation for Passports, maintaining peace and security, law and order, acting as a representative of government, enjoying the authorities provided by more than 90 prevailing acts make a Chief District Officer really powerful. The CDO is the most powerful position in Nepalese administrative service. Likewise, an Assistant Chief District Officers enjoys almost all the authorities as delegated by CDO and other laws.CDO's have often been dogged by controversy and allegations of corruption.