KATHMANDU, Jan 12: Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s (KMC) Mayor Balendra Shah is seeking to appoint a new chief administrative officer in the metropolis office after his fallout with the incumbent officer.
Shah wants to remove Basanta Adhikari, the chief administrative officer of the KMC, for his alleged involvement in tampering with the decision made by the executive body regarding the appointment of staff at the urban health promotion center under the KMC.
However, the chief administrative officer is still with the KMC, albeit on leave. Shah has instructed Adhikari’s office to be padlocked.
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According to the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration (MoFAGA), Adhikari has requested a two-week long leave with the ministry.
“Initially, he had requested a week-long leave. Later, he requested for an additional one-week’s leave,” said Ram Kumar Mahato, joint secretary of the MoFAGA.
According to him, the leave period of the officer is ending on January 24. Adhikari was transferred to KMC from MoFAGA on September 1, 2022. After the controversial decision of Adhikari, Mayor Shah is said to be very angry with him.
According to MoFAGA sources, Mayor Shah has asked the senior officials of the ministry to send a new chief administrative officer to Kathmandu metropolis. However, the Adhikari is lobbying not to be transferred from the KMC.
“Padlocking the office of the chief administrative officer is a sign of the mayor’s attempt to remove him and bring in a new officer,” said an employee of the KMC.
