KATHMANDU: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case at the Special Court against nine individuals, including the acting chief administrative officer of Durgathali Rural Municipality in Bajhang, over alleged irregularities in a programme aimed at identifying new tourism destinations.
The case relates to alleged embezzlement of funds allocated under the fiscal year 2018/19 program for the construction of a temple under a tourism promotion initiative.
According to the CIAA, Rs 4.5 million had been allocated for the construction of the Bhatpali Devta Temple in Ward No. 6 of Chhabispathibhera Rural Municipality. The project was implemented under the responsibility of Durgathali Rural Municipality, as per directives from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.
The total approved cost estimate of the project was Rs 5.607 million, which included Rs 1.107 million as community contribution and Rs 225,000 for contingency expenses. However, the CIAA investigation found that payments were made showing inflated work progress and manipulated rates, along with deduction of community contributions and submission of fake bills and receipts. As a result, Rs 2.201 million was allegedly misappropriated.
The anti-graft body has named acting chief administrative officer Makar Bahadur Mandal and accountant Prem Prasad Paudel of Durgathali Rural Municipality, along with engineer Hikmat Rawal and sub-engineer Bam Bahadur Bohara of Chhabispathibhera Rural Municipality, as defendants in the case.
Similarly, former vice-chairperson of Chhabispathibhera Rural Municipality Radhika Kumari Ratla and Ward No. 6 chairperson Mohanlal B.K. have also been charged. Members of the Bhatpali Devta Temple Construction Committee — chair Krishna Bahadur Buda, secretary Jay Bahadur Buda, and treasurer Madhuli Devi Buda — have also been named in the case with similar charges and demanded penalties, including imprisonment and recovery of the alleged amount.
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