Locals of Loktitaar of Shuklagandaki Municipality-10 locked the main entrance of the municipal office on May 7, demanding the establishment of a basic health center in their neighborhood. During the incident, there was a brief scuffle between the locals, Nepal Police, and municipal police. Krishna Bahadur Kumal, Chairperson of the Majhgaun Tole Development Committee, stated that although the Ministry had allocated a budget for the construction of a basic health center based on recommendations from the ward and municipality, locals were compelled to lock the main gate of the municipal office due to unnecessary delays in the construction process.
Chairperson Rajendra Bhattarai Chhetri of Ward-10 had sent a demand letter to the municipality on December 10, requesting that the Ministry of Health be urged to proceed with the establishment of a basic health center in Loktitaar and the municipality forwarded the recommendation to the Ministry on the same day. Although the budget has since been allocated under the Health Improvement Program, the locals have repeatedly drawn the municipality’s attention, claiming that attempts are being made to divert it elsewhere.
Resident Sudip KC said, “We repeatedly drew the attention of the ward and municipality, but the health center allocated for our area is now being diverted elsewhere. They say it’s not in line with the rules, and the elected representatives are unwilling to talk to us.” He added that the padlock would not be removed until their demand was fulfilled. He also accused Mayor Krishnaraj Pandit of backing away from his earlier commitment to establish the center in Loktitaar. KC further claimed that the mayor tends to leave the office whenever locals arrive. Mayor Krishnaraj Pandit stated that a discussion could not be held on Tuesday as he had to leave for Chitwan immediately after the executive meeting. He clarified that the municipality is ready to provide services in Loktitaar equivalent to those of a basic health center, along with necessary infrastructure.
Chairperson Rajendra Bahadur Bhattarai Chettri of Ward-10 stated that the issue arose because a basic health center cannot be established in two locations within the same ward. He added that at present, a basic health post is already operating in Chhabdi, so it cannot be established there again. Furthermore, he stated that they had proposed setting up an urban health center, but the locals have not agreed to it.