KATHMANDU: Kathmandu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has accused Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Mayor Balen Shah of abusing his authority against small businessmen.

KCCI has seriously objected to KMC’s latest drive of removing the illegal structures in the metropolis, saying that the small businessmen were adversely affected by the action in the face of festivals.

KCCI President Dinesh Shrestha said the businessmen were caught in the middle of the dispute between property owners and the metropolis.

“This dispute is between property owners and the metropolis, but businessmen have been caught in the middle,” said President Shrestha, “The elected mayor misused his power. Property owners have paid tax of their property but they do not have right over it. Why?”

Shrestha, who is also the vice-president of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), said that an emergency meeting of KCCI has been called to develop a common opinion about the injustice done to businessmen in the face of Dashain by the mayor’s campaign.

Likewise, FNCCI is also set to discuss the issue to develop a common view.

KCCI President Shrestha said the injustice done to businessmen, who began businesses by signing rent agreement with property owners and who have invested millions of rupees and paid taxes, should be stopped immediately.