KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration has urged Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Mayor Balen Shah to create a working environment for Chief Administrative Officer Saroj Guragain, following allegations that he has been prevented from performing his duties.
The ministry issued the directive on Thursday after Guragain filed a petition on Wednesday, claiming he had been locked out of his office since December 20, 2024 and was being unfairly accused of misconduct.
Joint Secretary and Spokesperson Kali Prasad Parajuli confirmed that a letter was sent to KMC, requesting that Guragain be allowed to work.
“Since his transfer has not been finalized, we have written to the metropolis, asking for a conducive work environment for him,” Parajuli told Khabarhub.
Despite his official position, Guragain has been unable to attend office, with reports indicating that members of Shah’s secretariat have locked his office.
Guragain’s petition alleges that he has been subjected to humiliation and false accusations.
The ministry’s letter highlighted that Guragain, appointed as KMC’s Chief Administrative Officer on September 12, 2024, has been obstructed from performing his duties since December 23.
It directed KMC to allow him to resume work, citing a ministerial decision made on March 5.
Balen v Guragain
The conflict between Balen and Guragain reportedly escalated over the controversial Kathmandu Tower project at the old bus park.
Guragain had signed an agreement regarding the 19-story structure, a project mired in legal and administrative disputes.
Mayor Balen formed an investigation committee on December 21 to probe Guragain’s alleged involvement in the case. While Guragain was on leave from December 23 to Januray 1, Balen’s secretariat issued a notice barring him from returning to office.
The committee was initially given a month to investigate, but before its term ended, Balen requested a new executive officer from the federal government. However, the Federal Affairs Ministry refused to send a replacement, concluding that two executive officers could not be assigned simultaneously.
Balen, who has repeatedly criticized federal government interventions in local governance, expressed his dissatisfaction with Guragain’s appointment, especially after a previous Chief Executive Officer he had preferred was transferred within seven months.
Meanwhile, the ministry maintains that Guragain remains KMC’s legitimate Chief Administrative Officer and that he has only requested a proper work environment, not a transfer. The situation remains unresolved, as the metropolis has yet to submit the requested investigation report on the Kathmandu Tower case.
Despite the ongoing dispute, reports suggest that Balen ultimately agreed to settle with Jaleshwor-Swachchanda Bikoi Builders Pvt. Ltd., paying a fine of Rs 500,000 to proceed with the project’s file.
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