KATHMANDU, Nov 26: Four days after the election, the Election Commission (EC) has directed the ministry concerned to cancel 54 multi-year programs of Bagmati reform, integrated settlement development, new cities, compact cities and Kathmandu Valley development worth 3.4 billion rupees approved by the Ministry of Urban Development.
The EC has written to the ministry on Thursday, instructing it to cancel all the programs approved by the ministry since September 28–the day the election code of conduct came into effect– and send the details of the canceled programs to the EC.
Following the instructions of the EC, the ministry wrote a letter to the EC on Friday and informed that all programs approved since September 28 have been canceled. The ministry also sent details of canceled programs. After the directive of the EC, Acting Secretary at the Ministry Padam Mainali has canceled 54 multi-year programs under the Ministry through a secretary-level decision on Friday.
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The then Urban Development Secretary Ramesh Singh had approved 54 multi-year programs on November 18, when the silent period had started through the secretary-level decision. A complaint was filed with the EC on the same day the multi-year program was passed.
Seven days after the complaint was filed, the EC directed the ministry to cancel the multi-year program on Thursday. The then Urban Development Secretary Singh retired on November 21 due to the 5-year deadline. After Singh's retirement, Mainali has taken the position as Acting Secretary. Mainali canceled the program passed by Singh.
According to Surya Aryal, Assistant Spokesperson at EC, the Election Code of Conduct is still in force. When the code of conduct is implemented, whether it is before the election or after the election, the EC can send letters regarding the programs approved at this time.
On Friday, the Ministry issued a circular to the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction, Department of Local Infrastructure, Kathmandu Valley Development Authority and High Powered Committee for Integrated Development of the Bagmati Civilization. Also in the letter, it has been directed to inform the Planning and Foreign Coordination Division of the Ministry about the status of the entire procurement process so far regarding the multi-year procurement master plan program approved during that period.
In the letter sent by the Ministry to the EC, it has been requested to reconsider some of the canceled programs as it is necessary to conduct them. It is said in the letter, "Since September 28, the annual development programs that have been approved until now are in operation and those programs are not new programs, it is requested to reconsider some programs in this regard."
A senior official of the ministry said, "The multi-year program approved only two days before the election is not likely to influence the election." Also, programs like Bagmati reform, new cities, Kathmandu Valley development will not affect the election. According to ministry sources, the multi-year program canceled by the EC was planned to be implemented in 40 districts. Among them, plans were also kept in Dang, home district of current Urban Development Minister Metmani Chaudhary and Gulmi, home district of former minister Ramkumari Jhankri.
Similarly, multi-year programs were held in Dhanusha, Jhapa, Kaski, Rautahat, Banke, Kailali, Kathmandu, Saptari and other districts. The commission's letter will affect the new programs of intensive urban and integrated settlement development under the ministry.
EC said that even the multi-year program approved during the silent period will affect the election. Earlier, the commission had written to the Urban Development and Building Department and directed them to cancel the tenders opened by the department when the code of conduct came into effect.
