Mayor Balen convoke executive meeting after six months

Kathmandu – Mayor Balen Shah of Kathmandu Metropolitan City has called an executive meeting after six months.

He has instructed the concerned officials to prepare for the meeting scheduled for 2 PM on Friday. However, the official notice is yet to be issued, according to the municipality’s assistant spokesperson Dhruba Kumar Kafle.

“A directive has been given to prepare the agenda for the meeting scheduled for 2 PM tomorrow. It will likely take place at that time, though the official notice is still pending,” Kafle said.

Although the executive meeting is supposed to be held once a month, it hasn’t been conducted since 14th Poush, 2081 BS (late December 2024). A dispute between Mayor Shah and Chief Administrative Officer Saroj Guragain—following action taken by the mayor over the Bhimsen Tower (View Tower) building permit controversy—led to the delay.

Due to the same dispute, Kathmandu Metropolitan City has failed to present its annual budget in the executive meeting, as required by Asar 10 (mid-June) under local government regulations.

The delay in presenting the budget has increasingly placed Mayor Shah under scrutiny. Notably, only the mayor holds the authority to convene an executive meeting.

Friday’s scheduled meeting is expected to include the presentation of the city’s budget.