July 19: The Supreme Court (SC) has issued an interim order instructing Kakani Rural Municipality in Nuwakot to refrain from implementing its decision to levy taxes on waste management from the Kathmandu Valley.

The order was issued by a bench led by Justice Ishwar Prasad Khatiwada, citing violations of Article 228 (2) and 236 of the Constitution of Nepal, the Waste Management Act of 2068, and the Local Government Operation Act of 2074.

On July 4, Kakani Rural Municipality had made the decision to collect fees of Rs 1,000 each from small trucks and Rs 1,500 each from large carriers for waste disposal at the Bancharedanda Landfill Site.

However, Justice Khatiwada's order directs the municipality to suspend the implementation of this decision until the final hearing on the petition. The rationale behind the order is that enforcing such a decision would complicate waste management efforts.

The Solid Waste Management Association of Nepal had lodged a petition with the Supreme Court, challenging the decision made by Kakani Rural Municipality.  The court's interim order now prohibits the municipality from proceeding with its decision until the final hearing takes place. (RSS)