KATHMANDU, Dec 21: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has provided four-wheelers to ward chairpersons and thematic committee coordinators, in violation of its own regulations. The metropolis has offered services not outlined in the 'Kathmandu Metropolitan City People’s Representative Service Facilities Act 2079.' According to Section 6(2) of the Act, the KMC should arrange backup vehicles with drivers for committee coordinators. However, instead of providing backup vehicles, the metropolis has purchased new ones.
A year ago, the metropolis purchased new vehicles for four coordinators of thematic committees. Recently, the metropolis procured four more new vehicles and assigned them to committee coordinators, according to sources. The recipients include Prem Thapa of the Disaster Management Committee, Rajesh Kumar Shrestha of the Infrastructure Committee, Ashaman Sangat of the Heritage and Tourism Committee, and Nawaraj Parajuli of the Revenue Committee.
The recently purchased vehicles were meant for Chinikaji Maharjan of the Education and Health Committee, Machakaji Maharjan of the Legislative Committee, Ishwor Man Dangol of the Finance Committee, and Hiralal Tandukar of the Urban Management Committee, but these coordinators have not yet been provided with the vehicles.
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"Previously, we used to rent vehicles, but now the metropolis has a small fleet of vehicles, and we can use those kept in reserve as needed. We have not provided vehicles to all 32 wards; instead, we have allocated 5-6 vehicles for wards to use according to their requirements," said KMC Spokesperson Manandhar.
He further added that the vehicles held in reserve at the Environment Department are being utilized based on the needs of the ward chairmen. "They are dispatched as needed. The ward chairmen’s residences are nearby, and we also use the vehicles when traveling for ward-related work," he said. Manandhar also claimed that these vehicles are used for attending seminars and hosting foreign guests.
"The vehicles of the metropolis are used not only by the ward chairmen but also by ward members. They do not drive them themselves—sometimes it rains, sometimes it's cold, and sometimes it's late. After all, they use the resources available with the metropolis," said Spokesperson Manandhar.
It is reported that during the tenure of former Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Bidya Sundar Shakya, a decision was made to provide vehicle facilities to ward chairmen. The decision to distribute 40 vehicles to all ward chairpersons and executive members was passed by the executive meeting at that time, according to Chairman of Ward No 11, Hiralal Tandukar. He said that vehicles have recently been distributed to thematic committee coordinators, as per the decision made then. He added that only a few of the 15 thematic coordinators have received them. "We have 14-15 municipal committees, and vehicles are given to the committee chairmen. But many have not utilized them. They have the right to utilize the vehicles because the executive body has approved it," said Tandukar, "It was decided to purchase 40 vehicles but so far, only eight have been purchased."
The new vehicles not used by the people's representatives are being driven by department heads, who have swapped their old vehicles for new ones. After some ward chairpersons said they would not accept the vehicles, the purchase of new vehicles has been halted. Tandukar mentioned that he, too, was offered a vehicle facility but declined. "It’s difficult to accept a vehicle. There’s no place to park it, and we would need to hire a driver. It's not our job to drive a vehicle. We are required to stay in the office from morning till evening," said Tandukar.
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