Cases filed against nine people on charges of corruption
KATHMANDU:- The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority has filed a case in a special court against nine people, including the acting chief administrative officer of Dargathali Rural Municipality in Bajhang, on charges of corruption in a program run with the aim of identifying new tourism destinations.
It has been found that the amount released for the construction of the temple under the approved program for the fiscal year 2075-76 has been embezzled.
According to a study conducted by the commission, an amount of Rs. 4.5 million was allocated for the construction of the Banthapali Devta Temple located in Chhabispathivera Rural Municipality-6.
Durgathali Rural Municipality was given the responsibility of receiving disbursements, spending, maintaining accounts, auditing and clearing unclaimed funds as per the letter with the budget and program of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.
Out of the approved cost estimate of 5.6 million seven thousand 897, the budget for consumer participation was 1.1 million seven thousand 897 and for contingency, 225.
The Commission states that a payment amounting to Rs 2,201,665 was made based on fake bills and vouchers by inflating the volume of work performed, applying unreasonable rates, and deducting the mandatory public contribution amount stipulated in the agreement.
The commission has claimed damages worth Rs 2.2 million 1,665 against Acting Chief Administrative Officer of Durgathali Rural Municipality Makar Bahadur Mandel, Accountant Prem Prasad Poudel, Engineer Hikmat Rawal and Sub-Engineer Bam Bahadur Bohara of Chhabispathivera Rural Municipality.
A similar amount of compensation has also been demanded against the then vice-chairperson of Chhabisapathivera Rural Municipality, Radhika Kumari Ratla, and the ward chairman of Ward No. 6, Mohanlal BK.
The Commission has stated that a case has also been filed in the special court against the chairman of Banthapali Devta Mandir Construction Committee, Krishna Bahadur Budha, secretary Jaya Bahadur Budha, and treasurer Madhuli Devi Budha, demanding the same amount of compensation and imprisonment.
