KATHMANDU: The report submitted by the Parliamentary Committee investigating the misappropriation of funds in cooperative organizations has now been implemented.
The Cabinet directed three ministries to implement the report.
Following this decision, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak instructed the police headquarters to proceed with the implementation.
Acting on the Home Minister’s orders, police arrested former DIG Chhabilal Joshi, one of the founders of Gorkha Media Network.
He was taken to Pokhara on charges related to the misappropriation of funds from Suryadarshan Cooperative.
Plans to arrest his partner, Managing Director of Gorkha Media Network and former Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane, were also initiated, but police retreated at the last moment from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) central office.
In response to Joshi’s arrest, Lamichhane mobilized hundreds of workers to the party office.
With a collective effort from various government branches, the path to implementing the parliamentary committee report remains fraught with challenges, but officials express optimism about restoring accountability in the cooperative sector.
According to Minister of Communication and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung, the cabinet-approved report has been dispatched to various ministries for implementation.
As the government spokesperson, Gurung confirmed that the report will be sent to the Ministry of Land Management and Cooperatives; the Ministry of Home Affairs; the Ministry of Finance; and the Ministry of Industry, aligning with their respective responsibilities.
“The main four ministries will implement the report,” Gurung told Khabarhub.
“Once the report reaches each ministry, they will take action.”
Home Minister Lekhak reiterated the need to implement the report from the parliamentary special investigation committee regarding cooperative savings embezzlement, leading to Joshi’s arrest.
Report will be implemented
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli assured that the report will be implemented during a meeting with the investigation committee.
He emphasized that the guilty must not escape justice, while the innocent should not be wrongfully implicated.
Cooperative Minister Balaram Adhikari stated that after reviewing the committee’s report, he would initiate policy reforms to restore public trust in cooperatives.
“We treat the committee’s suggestions as valuable assets,” he noted.
“The committee has done crucial work, and we must address the issues affecting citizens due to the decline of certain cooperatives.”
Ministerial officials pointed out that some cooperatives have suffered due to existing government policies and practices, highlighting the need for changes in cooperative regulations, including merging cooperatives with similar objectives.
Government spokesperson Gurung expressed confidence in the implementability of the cooperative monitoring committee’s report.
“The government is taking the report seriously. Criminals confirmed by evidence will not receive immunity,” he said.
He added that the Ministry of Home Affairs is also engaged in its own efforts, with plans to ensure the return of funds to all savers.
Gurung assured victims that the government is committed to ensuring that those responsible face consequences.
“No one—be it Rabi Lamichhane, Bharat Maharjan, or Dhanraj Gurung—will escape punishment if found guilty. We are focused on enforcing action against all confirmed offenders,” he stated.
Among those implicated, GB Rai remains at large, while investigations into Lamichhane continue.
Committee coordinator Surya Thapa asserted that the evidence against those involved is compelling, and former Suryadarshan Cooperative secretary is currently in custody.
Among those absconding are GB Rai, involved in seven cooperative fraud cases, and members of the Sumeru Savings and Loan Cooperative: Bharat Maharjan, Rajmaya Maharjan, Sachin Maharjan, Sarala Maharjan, and Nimittraj Shrestha.
With a collective effort from various government branches, the path to implementing the parliamentary committee report remains fraught with challenges, but officials express optimism about restoring accountability in the cooperative sector.
Nepali Congress Vice President Dhanraj Gurung linked to cooperative scandal
Vice President of the Nepali Congress, Dhanraj Gurung, and his wife, Jyoti Gurung, are embroiled in a cooperative scandal, with their divorce papers recently surfacing.
There are allegations that their divorce occurred after the misappropriation of cooperative funds.
The Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police is currently investigating the matter.
Additionally, the government is looking into Bharat Maharjan, the owner of Sumeru Savings and Loan Cooperative.
An officer from the bureau stated, “Criminals cannot evade justice through chaos. The police are acting according to established protocols, and no criminal will escape. We are preparing for action as further research is needed.”
Search for 29 fugitives and seizure of assets
The committee report indicates that 29 individuals absconded after embezzling cooperative funds.
Officials confirm that efforts are underway to locate these fugitives.
A cooperative ministry official noted that the government has frozen the assets of those on the run.
“Cooperatives that violate regulations should be penalized. The guilty must face justice, and absconders must be pursued. Our report contains all necessary information,” Neupane told Khabarhub.
“We are seizing the property of all fugitives, as well as those already imprisoned for cooperative fraud,” the minister said. “The relevant sector and ministry are actively searching for these individuals.”
An official from the Ministry of Home Affairs stated that the government has issued instructions to locate the 29 fugitives.
Among those absconding are GB Rai, involved in seven cooperative fraud cases, and members of the Sumeru Savings and Loan Cooperative: Bharat Maharjan, Rajmaya Maharjan, Sachin Maharjan, Sarala Maharjan, and Nimittraj Shrestha.
Also on the run are Gyan Bahadur Bamjan, Than Bahadur Budhamagar, and Bhupendra Rai from Suryadarshan, as well as Tej Bahadur Bamjan from Shivashikhar Multipurpose Cooperative, and Devkumar Nepali and Chela Nepali from Baglung’s Dhorpatan Municipality.
Ashraf Ali and Zahathan Khatun of Sano Paila Savings and Credit Cooperative Society are also fugitives.
Meanwhile, the loss of hard-earned savings is a serious concern for many.
“The government will ensure the return of funds,” said Gurung, the government spokesperson.
“The Prime Minister is deeply committed to resolving this issue. The government will attempt to return interest to all savers. If not immediately, we will ensure that funds are returned eventually. We urge for patience.”
Meanwhile, the Minister of Cooperatives emphasized that the government will support cooperatives struggling to repay depositers.
“While some cooperatives are thriving, others are in distress. The government is monitoring these situations closely.”
Meanwhile, Ishwari Neupane, a member of the Cooperative Inquiry Committee, believes that if the government implements their report, many cooperative issues can be resolved. She affirmed the expectation that the government will take action.
“Cooperatives that violate regulations should be penalized. The guilty must face justice, and absconders must be pursued. Our report contains all necessary information,” Neupane told Khabarhub.
“The cooperative department, relevant ministries, and other government entities must collaborate to implement the report.”
Committee member Shishir Khanal expressed skepticism about the government’s assurance that all cooperative funds will be returned.
However, he noted that if savings can be recovered, it would significantly alleviate the situation.
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