KATHMANDU, Nov 23: The ruling CPN-UML and the Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Balendra (Balen) Shah appear to be on a confrontational mode as the UML, on Saturday, rejected outright the decision of KMC to impose a fine for polluting the Durbar Marg area during UML’s awareness rally on Friday.
The UML has announced it will not pay the Rs 100,000 fine imposed by the KMC, calling the penalty ‘unjustified’. “Our program is not over yet. A stunt was made by posting an image on Facebook. As soon as the program ended, our volunteers cleaned the venue," said Rajendra Gautam, head of the CPN-UML's Publicity Department. "The CPN-UML does not entertain such petty distractions.”
On Friday, the UML organized a mass rally in a show of strength in Kathmandu, protesting against what it calls anarchy created by some elements close to anti-establishment. The rally, which began at Bhadrakali, culminated in an awareness assembly at Durbarmarg.
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The Durbarmarg area was littered with waste materials from the rally according to KMC. The metropolis authority subsequently decided to impose a fine of Rs 100,000, accusing the UML of causing environmental pollution by irresponsibly littering streets and sidewalks during the awareness rally. KMC slapped the fine in accordance with the Waste Management Act, 2068 BS, and the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Finance Act, 2081 BS.
The ruling UML has protested the fine, accusing Mayor Shah of engaging in “cheap stunt politics.”
Recently, there have been several disputes between the UML and Mayor Shah. Soon after the fine was imposed, UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel posted a lengthy statement on Facebook, accusing Mayor Shah of acting against the UML.
Pokharel wrote, "The fine notice issued after today's rally clearly indicates that Mayor Balen of Kathmandu Metropolitan City is operating against the CPN-UML."
He added, "After the program concluded, the organizers were cleaning the venue themselves. A request was made to the municipality to send a vehicle to collect the garbage. Instead of cooperating, the fine was publicized under the mayor’s instructions, claiming the garbage was left behind."
Pokharel further asserted that when the fine notice was issued, UML volunteers were already collecting garbage at the event site and placing it in a vehicle. "However, the mayor's focus was not on cleanliness but on the publicity stunt of issuing a fine, which had been premeditated," he wrote.
He also stated that Mayor Balen seems unaware of the UML's routine practice of cleaning event venues after their programs. "The purpose of the awareness rally is also to raise awareness among those who engage in such stunts," he concluded.
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