Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Minister for Infrastructure Development Sunil Lamsal has come under criticism after publicly stating that a contractor’s “legs should be broken” if he failed to perform his work.
During an inspection of the Nagdhunga–Mugling Road Project on Sunday, Minister Lamsal instructed officials to take action against the contractor responsible for relocating electricity poles.
Lamsal made the comment in the presence of Infrastructure Secretary Gopal Prasad Sigdel, Dhading Chief District Officer Laxmi Pandey and Superintendent of Nepal Police Sumit Khadka. A video of the minister’s comments has since gone viral on social media.
“Where is the contractor in charge of these electricity poles? Wherever he is on this earth, find him and bring him here. Don’t send him home. If he doesn’t do the work, break his legs,” Minister Lamsal said. “These poles must be relocated as quickly as possible. The local people have suffered a lot. They (contractors) must be made to work properly.”
Dhading CDO Pandey defended Lamsal, saying that the minister intended to instruct those responsible to complete the work on time.
According to Sajana Adhikari, Chief Engineer and Project Head of the Nagdhunga–Mugling Road Project (Western Section), the Department of Roads and the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) had signed an agreement three years ago for the relocation of the electricity poles.
