KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has failed to hold its monthly executive meeting for the past four months, with the last such meeting taking place on December 23, 2024.
Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol, speaking to journalists, said that the lack of meetings has disrupted the city’s agenda and operations.
She pointed to growing tensions between Mayor Balena Shah, herself, ward chairpersons, and Chief Administrative Officer Saroj Guragain as the reason behind the deadlock.
“The municipal meeting has not been held for four months, and we don’t need to keep repeating why,” said Dangol. “The day the mayor decides to call the meeting, it will be held. We cannot act outside the established process.”
As per regulations, the executive body is required to meet at least once a month. However, strained communication between key city officials has led to an unprecedented delay.
Dangol, who returned from an official visit to Belgium last week, stated that she has not been able to meet Mayor Shah since her return — or for the past four months.
“Even if there is no pressing agenda, a municipal meeting should be held at least to exchange greetings and maintain institutional continuity,” she said.
She also emphasized that the absence of executive meetings has hindered public accountability.
“I have met residents who raised serious concerns. We are conducting monitoring, but I myself am unaware of several ongoing matters in the metropolis,” she said. “There are many questions from the public that the executive must address.”
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