The construction of the Lhajyalo Wangthip Monastery at Nunthala in ward 13 of Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality in Khotang district has come to a halt despite a multi-million rupee investment.

According to Bhagyeshwar Rai, the ward chairperson, the project, which began in the fiscal year 2018-19 with an estimated budget of Rs210 million, has stalled due to financial irregularities.

“The construction was initiated through collaboration between the provincial and local governments, but after financial discrepancies were discovered, the province suspended the funding,” Rai explained.

The project was managed through a consumer committee led by Mahesh Tamang. According to Dhan Kumar Tamang, secretary of the monastery management committee, construction was supposed to be completed within five years at a cost of Rs210 million, based on the detailed project report (DPR).

Tamang stated that the lack of funds caused the construction to stall. “A budget crunch has delayed progress, but we plan to restart soon by securing alternative sources of financing,” he said, adding that despite the province withholding funds, efforts are underway to raise resources from other avenues.

In the fiscal year 2018/19, Rs1.5 million from the municipality’s budget was used for the foundation work, followed by Rs9.9 million from Koshi Province in the next year for the ground floor and pillar construction.

Although the provincial government allocated Rs15 million in the fiscal year 2019/20, the locals were unable to utilise it fully, as the consumer committee’s funding limit was Rs10 million.

While records show that the allocated budget was spent, dissatisfaction over the project’s progress led to complaints being raised at various levels, from the provincial government to local authorities. Chairperson Rai noted that these irregularities have hindered efforts to complete the project.

“The irregularities have blocked the way forward,” Rai said. “The locals are well aware of the situation, and it’s up to the construction committee to resolve these issues.”