Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, January 16

The ownership of a historic building, which previously housed the Finance Ministry, will be handed over to the Kathmandu Metropolitan City on Monday.

The building is a part of Bagh Durbar, which had been divided among the descendants of the Rana rulers who built the same during their reign.

Parts of the palace have been demolished and sold to be replaced by the present commercial buildings. "We are getting the Finance Ministry building on Monday and we will be shifting to the new location soon," said mayor Keshav Sthapit. He said the building will be beneficial for the locals and at the same time it would provide more space for the various departments in the KMC.

Presently, the department of Urban Development, Social Welfare, Heritage, Urban Health and other offices are housed in leased buildings in different places.

The KMC is organising a thanksgiving and a formal handing-over ceremony at the premises of the building. It has further decided to hold its board meeting in the new place on Monday.