Kathmandu, June 10 -- Macha Raja Maharjan, chair of ward 23 of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, has not met Mayor Balendra Shah since April 3, the day the Chief Administrative Officer, Saroj Guragain, resumed duty.

Along with Maharjan, other ward chiefs say the mayor has refused to meet them as well, which has created confusion about size of the municipal budget, ceiling, policies and programmes.

"We are still unaware of the budget ceiling as of today [Monday]," said Maharjan. "It's fine if Mayor Shah doesn't want to meet us, but his arrogance is now affecting pressing issues of city residents. The mayor should not forget that we have responsibilities to fulfil and expectations to meet."

It has been nearly six months since Mayor Shah last ...