Khotang, November 12

The allocation of budget under Local Infrastructure Development Partnership Programme has been affected with the election code of conduct coming into force for the upcoming by-election in Khotang.

The Consultation Committee had convened at the District Coordination Committee meeting hall on Sunday to finalise plans and budget for implementation of LIDPP but the meeting concluded without entering the agenda after concerns were raised regarding enforcement of election code of conduct keeping in view the November 30 byelection.

“Allocation of budget must be done by mid-November, but it’s undecided due to the code of conduct,” said committee Coordinator Bishal Bhattarai, who is a member of the Parliament.

Earlier on Friday, NC district member Gyanendra Joshi had filed an application with the District Election Office, seeking halt to a meeting on LIDPP budget allocation for the time being, given the enforcement of election code of conduct. Citing the application, elected representative of the NC raised the issue at the meeting no sooner than it had started.

“As the District Election Committee had asked the Election Committee whether budget allocation under LID- PP can be done, we will be able to resolve the issue accordingly after the EC’s decision,” said Bhattarai.

The position of Ward No 3 chair in Sakela Rural Municipality is being contested in the by-election.