KATHMANDU, Dec 21: Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Mayor Balen Shah (Balenendra Shah) has decided to take action against KMC’s Chief Administrative Officer Saroj Guragain. Earlier, Balen had recommended action against another Chief Administrative Officer.
Chief Administrative Officer Saroj Guragain is accused of approving the blueprint for a tower under construction in Kathmandu's Old Bus Park without completing the necessary legal procedures. The spokesperson for the metropolitan city, Nabin Manandhar, stated that action is being taken against Guragain for approving the blueprint without following the legal process.
"The metropolitan city will initiate an investigation process against him (Guragain). Whether the investigation will be conducted under the mayor's leadership or if an independent committee will be formed by the executive will be decided on Sunday," said spokesperson Manandhar. "However, it appears that he approved the blueprint without completing the necessary procedures."
KMC Mayor Shah seeks to replace KMC’s chief administrative offi...
The metropolis has accused Guragain of approving the blueprint by going outside the official map approval system. Jaleshwar Swachhanda BKOI Builders is carrying out the construction of the tower. However, the construction work has not been halted for a long time, and there is no likelihood of resumption of construction anytime soon. Due to the delay in completing the work on time, there have been disputes between the metropolis and the construction company.
According to metropolitan sources, on January 20, 2024, the then Chief Administrative Officer of the KMC had written a letter to the construction company, instructing them to pay the fine. The information regarding this letter was also communicated to the mayor. Spokesperson Manandhar stated that the metropolitan authorities did not approve the blueprint for the high-rise building. The KMC claims that Guragain showed an unusual interest in approving the blueprint. According to sources, Mayor Shah is also planning to file a complaint with the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority regarding this matter.
This is not the first time Mayor Shah has recommended action against the Chief Administrative Officer of the KMC. Previously, Mayor Shah had recommended action against the then Chief Administrative Officer, Basanta Adhikari. At that time, the Home Minister was Narayan Kaji Shrestha. Mayor Shah had requested the Home Minister to arrest Adhikari, but at that time, Shrestha did not respond to the Mayor’s call.
Adhikari was accused of fraudulently recruiting a relative for a position in the KMC. Following the incident, Adhikari was transferred, but before the transfer, he was instructed to take the leave for more than a month.
After Adhikari's transfer, Pradeep Pariyar was replaced him in the KMC. However, Pariyar was also unable to stay for long and was transferred after 7–8 months. During Pariyar's tenure, both Balen and the Chief Administrative Officer enjoyed good coordination between them.
After Pariyar, Guragain assumed the position of Chief Administrative Officer of the metropolis on September 23, 2024. However, within just three months at the office, he started facing serious accusations of financial irregularities, sources at KMC said.
