Valley
Mayor warns action against slothful staff
The Mayor of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Bidya Sundar Shakya has announced to take action against its staffers who obstruct in collecting solid waste from the metropolis and leisurely sit in their offices.Anup Ojha
The Mayor of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Bidya Sundar Shakya has announced to take action against its staffers who obstruct in collecting solid waste from the metropolis and leisurely sit in their offices.
The metropolis for a long time has been criticised for not being able to pick up garbage from the street. Trash management was Shakya’s first priority among 101 commitments after he won the mayoral elections.
Speaking to journalists at KMC’s Environment Division Office (EDO) in Teku on Monday, Shakya vented his frustration against the working style of KMC employees.
“The KMC has given extra salary of three months to 1,006 staffers specially assigned for garbage management, but there have been no changes and citizens are criticising us. “More than four million people in the Capital are suffering every day because of KMC staff and the blame is on me. The metropolis will take action against those who do not work,” said Shakya.
Lorry drivers on Sunday refused to move the garbage from Teku Transfer Centre to Sisdole dumping site demanding additional facilities.
Since last week, the metropolis has stopped giving two litres of extra fuel to drivers. They gave this during monsoon season as the road becomes muddy and the vehicle consumes more fuel.
KMC’s newly appointed chief of EDO Hari Kumar Shrestha said, “I have noted some employees who do not allow other to pick up solid waste. They are more into politics than work. I will take action to those who are trying to subvert the KMC.”
Under the KMC’s EDO 142 lorry drivers, 62 helpers, 751 sweepers and 11 gardeners work.
Pointing out to staffers that do not work during their official work hours, Mayor Shakya said, “They better stay at home if they do not work in office. I have already directed the Environment Division Chief to keep a record of each staff member.”
In July this year, the KMC failed to collect garbage in Kathmandu for consecutive three weeks. This compelled citizens to keep their apartment windows closed to prevent the obnoxious garbage smell entering into their homes.
When the Post asked about an alternative dumping site since Sisdole’s capacity is full, Mayor Shakya said, “We have already made an agreement with the central government.”
He said the Department of Roads (DoR) has already taken the lead to construct a road that leads to Bancharedanda, the new site to dispose garbage, two kms west of Sisdole.
The Kathmandu Valley generates 1,000 metric tonnes of solid waste every day, of which 500 metric tonne is taken from metropolis alone. Sisdole site receives around 75 percent of organic waste from Kathmandu alone.