Ram Prasad Rijal

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Balen Shah, Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, initially earned immense popularity for his bold statements and decisive actions. From rallying with slogans like "Burn down Singha Durbar" to penalizing litterbugs at UML’s public gathering, Balen projected a strong sense of responsibility and garnered significant public support. However, over time, the public's optimism has turned into dissatisfaction, fueled by allegations of misuse of resources and favoritism within his administration.

Symbol of Misuse: 'Balen Brand' Car

The Suzuki Baleno, a blue car purchased for the former mayor Vidyasundar Shakya, has now become synonymous with the 'Balen Brand.' While it was intended for the mayor’s official use, the vehicle is reportedly being used extensively by Sunil Lamsal, one of Balen’s close associates and current infrastructure advisor. Lamsal, a former classmate of Balen from Butwal, has not only utilized the car but has also transformed it into a symbol of personal branding, an act seen as a blatant misuse of public resources.

In one instance, after an accident involving the Baleno, the repair expenses were allegedly covered using the budget from the Environment Department, raising further concerns about the ethical conduct of the Metropolitan Office.

Rampant Exploitation in the Secretariat

Despite being appointed as unpaid advisors, many of Balen's associates have been accused of exploiting the city’s resources. These include privileges such as fuel allowances, unauthorized vehicle use, and extensive foreign trips funded by the metropolitan office.

Key Individuals and Their Alleged Exploits

1. Sunil Lamsal (Infrastructure Advisor):

   • Misuse of Vehicle: Regularly uses the Suzuki Baleno, meant for the mayor, as a personal vehicle.
   • Repair Costs: Expenses incurred from a car accident were covered using city funds.

2. Bhupadev Shah (Personal Assistant):

   • Unauthorized Use of Vehicles: Regularly uses official vehicles.
   • Fuel Benefits: Receives fuel allowances in violation of regulations.
   • Excessive Perks: Allegedly takes financial benefits beyond his role.

3. Sudip Dhakal (IT Advisor):

   • Originally working in Tilottama Municipality, Butwal, Dhakal has been relocated to Kathmandu as an IT advisor.
   • Questionable Allowances: Receives significant financial benefits under the guise of meeting allowances despite his "unpaid" status.

4. Kumar Byanjankar and Shailendra Jha (Planners):

   • Accused of exploiting city resources under the pretext of providing consultancy services.

Foreign Trips and Unjustified Expenditures

Several members of Balen’s secretariat have embarked on foreign trips funded by city resources, despite these trips having no direct relevance to city planning or policy-making. This has drawn criticism for being an unnecessary burden on the metropolitan office’s budget.

Erosion of Public Trust

What began as a hopeful journey toward transparency and change now stands overshadowed by allegations of nepotism and resource misuse. These controversies have raised serious questions about Balen's leadership and its commitment to ethical governance.

Call for Accountability

Misusing resources, providing facilities to unpaid advisors, and arranging foreign trips at the taxpayers' expense constitute clear examples of corruption and abuse of power, which are punishable by law. The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has the mandate to investigate such incidents and initiate legal proceedings against those found guilty.

If Balen fails to address these issues promptly and restore transparency, the very movement he started in the name of change risks losing its credibility, leaving both his leadership and Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s future in jeopardy.

Balendra Shah