KATHMANDU: Rabi Lamichhane, Chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), has stated that he was unaware of the funds brought in by Gorkha Media Network from cooperatives for the operation of the television station.
This issue has been highlighted in the report prepared by the Parliamentary Inquiry Special Committee on the Misuse of Funds of Cooperative Societies, 2081.
In response to 51 questions posed by the Committee, led by CPN-UML MP Surya Bahadur Thapa, Lamichhane mentioned that he joined Galaxy Television after Gitendrababu Rai promised him an attractive salary.
He disclosed that upon joining Galaxy Television, he received a monthly salary of Rs 5 lakh and took an advance of Rs 75 lakh.
Lamichhane firmly denied any involvement in the transfer of cooperative funds to Gorkha Media.
He asserted that he was not a shareholder in any cooperative and stated that he did not take any money when he left Galaxy Television.
He claimed he has not caused any harm to the cooperatives and emphasized that he has not received a single rupee from them.
While serving as Managing Director of Gorkha Media for about a year, it was revealed that Rs 173.1 million was transferred from various cooperatives.
Although he acknowledged this figure, he stated that he did not know how the funds were brought in.
He admitted that he was unaware that GB Rai was managing a cooperative until he joined Gorkha Media.
He acknowledged that GB and Chabilal Joshi had established the company before his arrival, where he received a 15 percent sweat share.
Additionally, during his statement, Lamichhane also shared some personal details, mentioning that he has a son and two daughters living in America and that he resides in the CG Hills apartment.
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