KATHMANDU: Balen Shah, the Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), has accused the federal government of failing to cooperate with neighboring municipalities and the companies tasked with managing Kathmandu’s waste.
In a social media post, Balen stated that instead of facilitating waste management, the federal government is using waste as a political tool.
“Another challenge we face in Kathmandu’s waste management is the federal government’s intervention,” he wrote, asserting that such interference infringes on their rights.
Mayor Balen emphasized their efforts to prevent a monopoly over Kathmandu’s waste management by the controversial Napwest company, which lacks a sustainable solution.
He pointed out that despite following legal tendering procedures, NepWaste filed a lawsuit, which ultimately ruled in favor of Kathmandu.
After the court confirmed that the authority for waste management rests with the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Balen noted that a significant obstacle to waste management has been cleared.
“We have taken a step forward in sustainable waste management,” he said, while acknowledging that “obstacles, interference, and political maneuvering may still occur. However, we will not be deterred.”
He also highlighted that a sustainable solution for Kathmandu’s waste is both achievable and essential for the rights of its residents.
“This is a matter of justice for the communities affected by sites like Sisdol and Bancharedanda, where we have unjustly piled garbage for years. It impacts thousands of jobs and represents the pride of our country,” he added.
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