Bhajani Municipality Halts Services for Contractors with Outstanding Dues

Kailali. Bhajani Municipality has stopped the services of contractors who have not paid their outstanding dues for ponds. The municipality has stopped the services of contractors who have not paid their outstanding dues by operating ponds as a source of internal revenue. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Municipal Executive held on Baisakh 15, according to Chief Administrative Officer Bhojraj Bhatta, who stated that all services from the municipality to individuals and firms with outstanding dues have been stopped. However, health services for individuals are not affected. Services for the contractor and their three generations have been stopped due to non-payment of dues. The municipality has been awarding contracts for ponds for fish farming since 2072 BS. The municipality's revenue has shrunk as contractors have not paid the amounts as per the agreement on time. Ponds are the main source of internal revenue for this municipality. This municipality has dozens of ponds, which are considered very suitable for fish farming. The outstanding dues for ponds have reached Rs 5 crore 69 lakh 94 thousand. 27 firms or individuals have yet to pay their outstanding dues to the municipality. The largest outstanding amount is from Prem Bahadur Bhul of Kailali Matsya Tatha Krishi Company Pvt. Ltd., who owes Rs 1 crore 92 lakh 4 thousand 360. According to Chiranjivi Upadhyay, head of the revenue branch of the municipality, Rs 37 lakh 71 thousand 799 has been paid out of the Rs 2 crore 29 lakh 66 thousand 159 contract for Ghoratal and Gidiniyatal ponds. There are also people's representatives who have not paid their pond dues. Ward member of Ward No. 4, Tal Bahadur Chaudhary, had taken the contract for Lotihua Sorahawa pond in Ward No. 4 in his wife's name. Although Tal Bahadur, who has been elected ward member for two terms, had the pond contract agreement made in his wife's name, he has been operating it himself. According to Revenue Branch Chief Upadhyay, Rs 22 lakh 97 thousand 295 is still outstanding for the pond, which was contracted for Rs 27 lakh 47 thousand 295, with only Rs 4 lakh 50 thousand paid. Ward member Chaudhary is also deprived of the services provided by the municipality. "I don't have the intention of not paying my dues. Due to issues with community forests at times and municipal issues at other times, I was unable to operate the pond, and I hoped for some concession, which caused the delay," said Tal Bahadur. "Now, there is no option but to pay. All services from the government have been stopped. I will pay by Jestha under any circumstances." He stated that he was unable to pay the dues on time because he could not earn the expected income from the pond due to disputes between the municipality and community forests. Mayor Keshav Chaudhary said that services had to be stopped after repeated attempts to collect the dues were unsuccessful. According to him, his services will be reinstated after he pays his outstanding dues. "When no other skill works, we have ultimately stopped the services to collect the dues," he said. "If this does not work, further processes will be carried out in phases."