Mayor Balen Summons Chief Administrative Officer Guragain to Executive Meeting

Kathmandu — The executive meeting of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) is scheduled to take place this Friday afternoon at 2 PM.

Mayor Balen Shah has called the meeting as KMC has yet to present its policies, programs, and annual budget. According to the Local Government Operations Act, local governments are required to unveil their budgets by the 10th of Asar (late June). However, due to ongoing tensions between Mayor Balen and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Saroj Guragain, the executive meeting could not be held in time, causing the metropolis to miss the legal budget deadline.

Following continuous discussions led by Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol and several ward chairpersons, Mayor Balen had initially considered convening the executive meeting by sidelining CAO Guragain. However, he has now agreed to hold the meeting in Guragain’s presence.

Mayor Balen’s secretariat confirmed that the CAO has been invited to attend the 2 PM meeting along with all other executive members.

“We have invited the Chief Administrative Officer in accordance with the law,” said Balen’s personal secretary Bhupdev Shah.

Chief Administrative Officer Guragain also confirmed his participation. “I am heading to the office now. The Mayor has called me for the meeting. I had previously said I would never obstruct the process,” he said.

Before the executive meeting, the Budget Ceiling Committee, chaired by Mayor Balen, will meet at 11 AM. The CAO serves as the member-secretary of this committee. Following this, the Budget and Program Formulation Committee, led by the Deputy Mayor, will convene.

After both preparatory meetings, the formal executive meeting will take place. Various departments are set to present their proposals, followed by discussions on policies and programs.

The executive meeting is also expected to set the date for the next municipal assembly.