Himal Press 
Minister Badri Prasad Pandey
KATHMANDU: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey has instructed Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) to maintain the status quo on the Gaushala Dharmashala controversy.
The controversy erupted after the PADT announced that it would not allow any individual or commercial group to operate the Dharamshala, which is fully owned by the state. Instead, the PADT declared that it would operate the facility on a non-profit basis in collaboration with Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC).
The Marwari Sewa Samiti, which has been operating the facility, opposed the decision. Members of the Samiti are preventing KMC security personnel, who have been trying to take possession of the property as per the PADT decision, from entering the Dharmashala premises.
Pandey, who serves as the chairperson of the PADT, sent a letter to the PADT on Wednesday to stop the eviction process at the Gaushala Dharmsahala citing security concerns.
Minister Pandey has also called a meeting of the PADT to resolve the ongoing Gaushala Dharamshala controversy.
According to PADT spokesperson Revatiram Adhikari, Minister Pandey has scheduled a council meeting for Sunday.
