KATHMANDU: The Office of President that had returned the budget saying that it will not buy expensive cars is spending Rs 10 million to replace the carpets at the time when the country is struggling against the coronavirus pandemic.

Carpets are being replaced in the rooms of the building which was completed only three years ago, media reports said on Monday.

The contract for changing the carpet at the President’s Office has been awarded to Himalayan Décor that is owned by Gandaki Province lawmaker Ram Bahadur Gurung. Gurung of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) was elected from Tanahun-1 (a).

Carpets costing around Rs 3 million are being laid for the two big halls of the President’s Office alone. Similarly, preparations are underway to lay carpets worth Rs 4 million for other rooms.

It should be noted that the Office of the President had contributed Rs 95 million to the State reserves, curtailing its budget allocated for various headings for the current fiscal year.

The fund went to the reserves in view of the special situation caused by the global pandemic of COVID-19.

However, the Office of the President is spending Rs 10 million to replace the carpets at the time when the country is reeling under coronavirus crisis. The decision has drawn outrage from several quarters.