KMC distributes vehicles in violation of its own policies

Ward chairpersons and coordinators of theme committees have been given four-wheelers by the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), which is against its own rules. The “Kathmandu Metropolitan City People’s Representative Service Facilities Act 2079” does not list all of the services that the city has provided. In accordance with Section 6(2) of the Act, committee coordinators should have backup cars with drivers provided by the KMC. Nevertheless, the city has acquired new cars in place of backup ones.

The city bought four thematic committee coordinators new cars a year ago. According to sources, the city recently acquired four additional new cars and gave them to committee coordinators. Ashaman Sangat from the Heritage and Tourism Committee, Rajesh Kumar Shrestha from the Infrastructure Committee, Prem Thapa from the Disaster Management Committee, and Nawaraj Parajuli from the Revenue Committee are among the awardees.

Ishwor Man Dangol of the Finance Committee, Hiralal Tandukar of the Urban Management Committee, Machakaji Maharjan of the Legislative Committee, and Chinikaji Maharjan of the Education and Health Committee were supposed to receive the newly acquired cars, but they haven’t received them yet.

“After renting cars in the past, we can now use the city’s small fleet of cars that are maintained in reserve as needed. KMC Spokesperson Manandhar stated, “Instead of providing vehicles to all 32 wards, we have assigned 5–6 vehicles for wards to utilize in accordance with their needs.

He went on to say that the Environment Department’s reserve cars are being used in accordance with the ward chairmen’s requirements. “They are sent out when required. We also utilize the automobiles when driving for ward-related duties, and the ward chairmen’s homes are close by,” he stated. Additionally, according to Manandhar, these cars are utilized for receiving foreign visitors and attending seminars.

“Ward members use the city’s vehicles in addition to the ward chairman. They don’t drive them themselves because it can rain, be cold, or be late at times. Ultimately, they make use of the city’s resources,” Spokesperson Manandhar stated.

According to reports, a decision was made to give ward chairmen access to vehicles while Bidya Sundar Shakya was the mayor of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City. According to Ward No. 11 Chairman Hiralal Tandukar, the executive committee at the time decided to award 40 vehicles to all ward chairpersons and executive members. According to the decision reached at the time, he said, vehicles have just been given to coordinators of theme committees. Only a handful of the 15 thematic coordinators have gotten them, he continued. “The chairmen of our fourteen or fifteen municipal committees receive cars. However, many haven’t made use of them. Tandukar stated, “Although 40 cars were intended to be bought, just eight have been acquired thus far. Since the executive body has given their approval, they are permitted to use the automobiles.”

Department heads are driving the new cars that the people’s representatives don’t use because they traded in their old cars for the new ones. The acquisition of new vehicles has been put on hold after certain ward chairpersons stated they would not accept the vehicles. Tandukar stated that he was also presented with a vehicle facility but turned it down. “It is challenging to accept a car. We would have to hire a driver because there is nowhere to park it. Driving a car is not our responsibility. Tandukar stated, “We must be in the office from dawn to sunset.