Poll announcement affects KMC’s work

Kathmandu, November 20:

All the development works — save emergency ones — of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) have been affected with the announcement of municipal elections.

“The development works have been affected after the Dashain festival with the declaration of municipal polls,” said Sanjay Raj Upadhyay, head of the Public Works Department.

He said his department has been carrying out only emergency works besides projects passed by the Municipal Council.

“Major construction works taken up by the PWD have been halted,” he said adding that the works would be resumed as soon as the new mayor takes oath of his office and secrecy. He said that the election code of conduct bars them from carrying out people-based development works right after the announcement of the election.

Acting chief executive officer of the KMC, Kharu Dev Chudal, said public participatory programmes have been mainly affected.

The Election Commission has said preparations are almost over for the upcoming polls to be held on February 5, 2006 in one metropolitan city, four sub-metropolitan cities and 53 municipalities.