KATHMANDU, Oct 28: Two female employees of the Central Project Implementation Unit (CPIU) under the Ministry of Urban Development have reported that they have been subjected to mistreatment.
The employees filed a complaint with Machakaji Maharjan, the director general of the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction, alleging that Pawan Mahato, the operator of Raman Construction, mistreated them. In the complaint, they have demanded action against Mahato.
Director General Maharjan stated that the Chief Accounts Controller Mithu Thapa and Accounts Controller Rama Pokhrel, who are employed at the CPIU, have filed a complaint alleging that they were mistreated.
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"We are currently reviewing and discussing the complaint. We are also initiating some legal procedures," Maharjan said, adding, "Further action will be taken once he is found guilty."
According to the Department, Mahato's company, Raman Construction, is working on the construction of Dharahara. There is still some payment to be made to the company. On October 22, Mahato visited the office of the CPIU in Babarmahal to request a recommendation for a variation order (VO) and to change the bank account. During this visit, he allegedly mistreated the two female employees.
"We informed him that the contract his company had with us has expired, so we cannot write a recommendation for changing the bank account," said Pokharel, the accounts controller who accused him of misconduct. "However, he did not listen to us and resorted to mistreating us." Following that, she stated that she went to the Director General's office to file a complaint seeking action against the person who mistreated them. "We have also consulted with the Kathmandu District Administration Office on this matter," she added.
Pokharel stated that Mahato appeared very uncomfortable and angry that day. She mentioned that he had previously exhibited similar behavior towards other staff members in the office. "We will not tolerate this anymore; enough is enough," she said. Attempts to contact Mahato regarding this matter were unsuccessful.
According to sources at the Ministry of Urban Development, the contractor company has requested an additional Rs 6.5 million from the ministry to install an electrical power panel that will permanently reach the lift. Due to the lack of this funding, Mahato's company has not purchased the panel. One lift at Dharahara has permanently broken down due to the absence of electrical power, while another lift has also been malfunctioning intermittently. This issue has led to ongoing disputes between the contractor company and the office staff.
