KATHMANDU: Owing to the delay in approving the fiscal budget and programmes by the government, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has been unable to pay the contractors on time.

"We completed our work before the deadline. However, we are not paid yet," said Bhakta Lama of Suntdari Kanya Nirman Sewa. "I was approved for a 2-million tender but I have not received a single penny.” Nil Prasad Neupane of Karmidanda Nirman Sewa also echoed Lama. He said that he had been facing difficulty to pay the workers due to the delay in payment by the KMC. A tender of Rs 800,000 was granted to by the KMC to his construction company.

The KMC issued tenders of Rs 200 million to 15 contractor companies under the Department of Roads (DR). The DR contributes 70 per cent of the total cost while KMC invests the remaining 30 per cent of the budget.

"The DR is yet to provide fund to us and KMC is yet to pass the budget," said Bala Ram Tripathi, account officer, KMC. "It was the reason we haven't been able to pay them,” he said.