KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has formed a probe committee to investigate the decision-process taken that gave permission to Batas Group for running business, including a restaurant, inside the Narayanhiti Palace Museum. The to-be-built restaurant and Batas Group courted controversy controversy of late.

Joint-Secretary at the Ministry Hom Prasad Luintel is the coordinator of the committee whereas Under-Secretary at the Employees Administration Section Tek Narayan Poudel, Comptroller General at Financial Management Division Suryamani Gautam, Under-Secretary Purushottam Khatiwada are the members. Similarly, section officer Tanka Bahadur Negi is the member-secretary of the committee.

Minister Prem Bahadur Ale shared that the probe committee has been tasked with submitting a report within three days after carrying out necessary investigation regarding the restaurant planned to be set up on the Narayanhiti Palace Museum premises.

Minister Ale had, on January 4, directed the Narayanhiti Palace Museum and Republic Memorial Management and Operation Development Board to stop the ongoing construction work of the restaurant at the Narayanhiti Palace Museum.

Writing a letter after the Minister Ale’s direction, Narayanhiti Palace Committee directed the Batas Management Pvt Ltd to stop the construction activities until next order. The Committee had reached an agreement with Batas Management to run a restaurant on 10 ropanis land of the Museum.