KATHMANDU, MARCH 27
Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah 'Balen' has resurfaced in the spotlight after making a furious statement on social media, claiming that sanitation workers have not been paid in three months due to the federal government's arrogance.
His dispute with the federal government has resurfaced, accompanied by reports of protests by and against the royalist movement, as well as the dismissal of Nepal Electricity Authority executive director Kulman Ghising.
On Monday, Shah took to social media in his usual manner and made threatening comments criticising the federal government, describing it as a government that protects the corrupt and halts employee salaries for months out of arrogance.
"KMC sanitation workers have not received their salaries for the past 3 months, due to the government's arrogance!" reads his post.
"I am not sure what kind of protest they will hold, but if our employees do not receive their salaries within the next week, I will bury them all in the Tukucha River!"
Following his post, he made public the findings of a metropolis-appointed committee's investigation into the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) on Tuesday.
Mayor Shah shared the report of the investigation into CAO on Facebook. "A government that protects several corrupt people who break the law, and we should listen to their speeches on good governance? If the above is incorrect, put me behind bars," reads his post.
According to the provisions of the Local Government Operation Act, 2017, if a building is constructed without first approving the map, a fine of up to Rs 500,000 may be imposed, and if the building is constructed by altering it without approval, the mayor may fine up to Rs 200,000.
However, the Minister of General Administration and Federal Affairs has claimed that the current situation arose because Shah failed to send an investigation report confirming irregularities by the CAO and prevented him from coming to the office.
Speaking to THT, KMC spokesperson Nabin Manandhar stated, "According to the rules, a budget is sent to each department on a regular basis via a cheque signed by the CAO for general expenses. But CAO is facing investigation as he passed the blueprint of the building without consultation with the KMC executive board."
Manandhar further said, "Following that, the CAO has been on leave for quite some time, resulting in employees not receiving their salaries due to additional conflicts between the federal and local governments."
"However, the main issue is that the mayor communicates primarily through Facebook rather than in person. If the mayor of KMC had dealt face-to-face with ministries, these circumstances would not have existed."
Meanwhile, KMC and the federal government have been at odds for a long time. Balen often takes to his social media handles, satirising and criticising the government, particularly the PM KP Sharma Oli-led cabinet.
Four weeks ago, he wrote, "Prime Minister, you are attempting to defeat me by starving. We are the people working to realise Madan Bhandari's dream! Please do not drown the country in an effort to defeat me."
Last Sunday, he also took a dig at Urban Development Minister Prakash Man Singh. "Honourable Urban Development Minister Prakash Man Singh, the issue of removing informal settlements, organising Kapan Khola, preserving Bal Mandir, and attempting to protect public property has always been on the agenda. When will it be completed?"
"Do not lose your city, region, or country in the name of defeating me. Do not bury the history of Ganeshman Singh, PL Singh, and the Nepali Congress."
PM Oli, on the other hand, talked about the KMC and CAO issues in an interview with Kantipur TV without taking Balen's name. "A local government stops CAO from work and locks his chamber, putting him on leave, and then puts Facebook status: 'Prime minister, do not let metropolis be failed in pursuit to fail mayor.' The PM then finally knows about conflict. How would the prime minister perceive the reality of such a situation if you asked where your CAO is on Facebook?"
