KATHMANDU: Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Mayor Balen Shah has formally responded to the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration after it requested that a proper working environment be ensured for the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) assigned to KMC. The ministry had sent a letter on Wednesday, urging cooperation in allowing the officer to assume duties.

In his response on Thursday, Mayor Shah firmly rejected the request, stating that the assigned Chief Administrative Officer would not be allowed to attend. He maintained a strong stance on the issue, citing legal provisions that support the city's authority over local projects.

Shah’s letter clarified that a building, including a bus park, is to be constructed on KMC-owned land under the Public-Private Partnership model. He emphasized that decision-making regarding such projects falls under the jurisdiction of local government authorities, as outlined in relevant sections of the Local Government Operation Act and the Public-Private Partnership and Investment Act.

He further stated that policy-level decisions on the project must be made by the Partnership Board and the Municipal Executive. The project is currently under review, and any actions that violate legal provisions, the original agreement, building codes, or project standards could lead to negative consequences. Given this, Shah insisted that the Chief Administrative Officer, who failed to carry out responsibilities properly, should not be allowed to continue.

Instead, Shah suggested appointing a temporary Chief Administrative Officer with financial authority until a permanent solution is found or the Local Government Operation Act is amended. He argued that this would ensure the project's proper execution without further complications.

Previously, the ministry had intervened following complaints that Mayor Shah had prevented Saroj Prasad Guragain, the assigned Chief Administrative Officer, from assuming his role. The ministry had requested cooperation in creating a conducive working environment for him.

Guragain had submitted a formal complaint stating that since December 23, 2024, he had been unable to report for duty due to the mayor locking the office and making various allegations against him. He claimed that these actions hindered his ability to perform his responsibilities.

Guragain was appointed to the position by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supply on August 11, 2024. However, KMC has accused him of approving a building design without following due process, and an investigation into this allegation is currently underway.