RPP refuses to pay fine imposed by Kathmandu Metropolitan City

Kathmandu, March 10 — The Rashtriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has announced that it will not pay the fine imposed by the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC).

The party has also accused KMC Mayor Balen Shah of having a biased attitude towards the RPP and the monarchy.

Party spokesperson Mohan Shrestha stated that even though the KMC had decided to fine the party 100,000 rupees, they would not pay the fine.

He also mentioned that the party, including Chairman Rajendra Lingden, had participated in the welcome of former King Gyanendra Shah, but the RPP flag was not present at the event.

"Imposing a fine is biased. No fines were imposed on Kamal Thapa or Durga Prasai, but a fine was specifically targeted at the RPP, which shows Balen's biased view towards the monarchy and the RPP," he told Ratopati on Monday morning. "This is a prejudiced mentality. The RPP will not pay the fine."

Pro-monarchy supporters, including RPP members, had gathered at the airport on Sunday to welcome former King Gyanendra when the Kathmandu Metropolitan City decided to fine the RPP 100,000 rupees for polluting public areas in Gaushala during the welcome event.

The fine notice, signed by Municipal Police Inspector Lila Raj Gachha Magar, mentioned, "On March 9, participants of the program organized from your party's office caused pollution in public areas, including the airport, Tilganga, Gaushala, streets, footpaths, islands, plants, and railings, leading to environmental damage and waste disposal. As per the Solid Waste Management Act, 2068, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Environment and Natural Resource Conservation Act, 2077, and the Kathmandu Metropolitan City's Fiscal Act, 2081, you are fined 100,000 rupees."

Previously, when the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) held an event on Darbar Marg, the KMC had also imposed a fine. However, UML refused to pay the fine.