“Knocking on the door of luxury building in capital city standing magnificently in every corner to seek refuge as one embark for livelihood. As the landlord stand in front of an individual and one enquire “what is the monthly rent la?” He/she reply “Nu. 17,000 for 2bhk and Nu. 20,000 for 3bhk”. Only to response “Las, kadrinchey la” and turn their back. Journey for renting a house is no short of looking for employment. Currently, every building available for rent in capital city is no less than Nu. 13,500 for 2bhk and one can expect how much it will cost for the 3bhk. This was considered costly just a year back and now it has become a bench mark. Having learned enough about the monthly rent, one has to calculate lone monthly source of income (salary) and god knows how much net income remained with them. I’m sure tossing with pillow at one’s temporary shelter (relatives), how he/she wish next day light is never to arrive soon. How could someone realize that many years of education and hardship after finding employment is not sufficient even to make a minimum level of livelihood? It is evident that many of a kind are struggling to afford a rent when seeing too many comments on social media after someone post affordable vacant flat. As such some are looking for a colleague to live combined to minimize the cost and to ensure ends meet are achieved. However, living together with stranger in hope of making a decent living would be far challenging than staying alone for some.
Government jobs are considered secured with better pay check in comparison to private sector which is why civil service are most sought livelihood for aspiring job seekers. In their dismay, those claimed lucky winner of civil service soon realize that the monthly salary credited in their account is hardly hand to mouth. Least to say for those working in private sector exception to few who are paid better. New recruit of civil servant at Bachelor’s degree enters in grade P5 (8) with Basic pay of Nu. 20,645 and gross pay Nu. 25,690 (addition of HRA Nu. 5,045). His/her pay after statutory deduction of 11% PF and Nu. 400 as GIS arrive to Nu. 23,019. Further, after deduction of 1% health contribution on gross salary, their take home pay is Nu. 22,762 (excluding other agency related welfare deduction). Considering Nu. 13,500 as monthly rent (59.3%), only cash of Nu. 9,262 is left for food and transportation. With an average daily taxi fare of Nu. 80 for 22 working days amounts to Nu. 1,760. Thus, leaving Nu. 7,502 for meeting other necessities. One has to tussle with this available cash against so many spectators. The worst is P level employees are construed as Officers and people expect them to lead a better life such as drive a car, better household items, etc. not realizing their salary is just little more than Nu. 3,000 of S2/10 (Diploma graduate). It will cost minimum EMI of Nu. 5,300 just to purchase second hand Alto car and imagine where net pay arrive.
Hence, a piece of advice to those leading a career in capital city is to not give shit about how people expect you to live and rather lead a happy life with what your salary could afford. I know we have so many wishes to fulfil, however, we can only do so much with what we earn. We get ourselves into thick soup trying to live up to other people’s expectation. A newly employed young chap driving a car would be eye catchy but check their background prior to comparing with them. As a child from a backward family who have seen vehicle after reaching junior school and staple meal of kha-rang occasionally eating rice (during losars), at least being able to sustain basic livelihood is considered greatest achievement. At times feeling hurt when failed to pay back parents and those loved ones who helped to make a living though. Nonetheless, only wish as a parents is to see their children self-sustain and not to burden them even after attaining elder-hood.
This is because if one do a little math, we really can’t put a blame on landlords. Their return on millions of investment in non-commercial building might be below saving interest rate. However, it is sad that cost of living is same across all income group burdening low income group to pay a rent more than what they earn. Further, to question individuals employment status either in government or private while looking for vacant flat. This demeans someone’s capability and I believe he/she has the capacity to bear the cost if is ready to book a flat at provided rent”.
writer— anonymous
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