The cabinet meeting held on Thursday decided to appoint Laxman Aryal in Adhikari’s place. Aryal had been working at the National Planning Commission.[break]
Sources at the Ministry of Local Development (MoLD) said that the government decided to transfer Adhikari after his name was linked to several irregularities, including financial irregularities. A source said that KMC’s latest deal with Side Walkers Pvt. Ltd to increase ticket fees for tourists visiting Hunamandhoka Durbar Museum and disputes related to Kathmandu Tower are the main reasons that compelled the government to transfer Adhikari.
Adhikari, who was appointed at KMC some 18 months ago, said that he is unaware about government decision and has not yet received the transfer letter until Friday evening. “The controversies are a result of some misunderstandings,” said Adhikari, adding, “Overall, I believe I have done my best.” Adhikari had recently had fired a journalist working at Metro FM operated by metropolis. He claimed that the decision was taken collectively.
After his appointment at KMC, Adhikari had taken several improvement measures like plastic free campaign, clean Kathmandu campaign, night bus service, green Kathmandu campaign, free health service to elderly people and disabled, removing of hoarding boards, among others. Adhikari had also tried to clear footpaths at city centers of street vendors. The KMC also started providing Rs 10,000 monthly to the family members of martyrs of 1940.
Adhikari was appointed by Baburam Bhattarai-led government. Bhattarai and his wife Hisila Yami strongly supported Adhikari in all of his campaign.
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