KATHMANDU, Sept 4: Deputy Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), Sunita Dangol, has raised concerns about Mayor Balen Shah's working style. Deputy Mayor Dangol was critical of Mayor Shah for lack of wider consultations on critical issues among elected representatives. She made such remarks following a recent decision of the Supreme Court and a subsequent notice issued by the metropolis without holding proper discussion.

The Supreme Court recently mandated an additional 20-meter buffer zone on both sides of riverbanks in Kathmandu. In response, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City issued a notice on August 13 halting all construction activities within this additional 20-meter zone. The notice mentions that the decision was taken at the top level of the municipality on August 8, which Deputy Mayor Dangol criticized because other stakeholders were not informed about such sensitive issue.

During Tuesday's executive meeting, Ward Chairman Macharaja Maharjan of Ward No. 23 questioned the notice issued by the mayor in haste. Deputy Mayor Dangol echoed these concerns, emphasizing that while compliance with court decisions is essential, the manner of implementation was not appropriate.

She questioned the claim made in the notice that it was issued based on a top-level decision, asking, "Does this decision reflect concensus?" She noted that the public has begun expressing concerns at both the ward and municipal levels about the working style of the mayor. Although minor issues are typically discussed in board meetings, she criticized the absence of such a meeting for this sensitive topic. 

"It’s not a good practice for notices to be issued as mayor-level decisions while we, as elected representatives, are only informed through the notice," she said.

Deputy Mayor Dangol also highlighted the need for discussions on mitigating the impacts of the decision on affected parties. She remarked, "It’s not always the case that a court’s decision is in the best interest of the public. That’s why there is a legal option for reconsideration. We should have discussed whether to pursue this course."

She added that the public perception of the metropolis is shifting, partly because of the lack of consultation before issuing such notices. After Deputy Mayor Dangol's remarks, Mayor Balen did not make any remarks and simply concluded the meeting, saying, "The meeting is over, thank you," before leaving.

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City's notice, effective from August 13, prohibits construction on land within an additional 20 meters from the riverbanks.

 
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