Stalls in Bhrikuti Mandap not paying rent for 30 years on political backing

KATHMANDU, MARCH 3: On the backing of political protection, the users of the land of the Social Welfare Council (SWC) have not been paying their rent for the last  30 years. The land, situated on the premise of Bhrikuti Mandap at the Exhibition Road in the capital, has stalls/ buildings which are being used by some 42 individuals/organisations for various business purposes.  They are required to pay more than Rs 60 million to the SWC.

According to Durga Prasad Bhattarai, Administration Head of the SWS,  on February 23, the SWC  issued circulars to them to clear their dues within 21 days.  “With the support of leaders and activists of political parties, they repeatedly denied our call to do the needful in the past,” he said by warning, “If they again do the same thing this time, we will be forced to publish a 35-day notice in their names in the Gorkhopatra Daily and take the action necessary to collect the money.”

Among the said property renters, the Kathmandu Valley Public Library has the highest amount of dues at Rs 9.1 million.