INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Kathmandu, March 13
The Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives today directed the Commission for the Investigation of
Abuse of Authority to investigate the allegations of corruption in the security press procurement deal.
Minister of Communications and
Information Technology Gokul Prasad Baskota had resigned from his post on February 20 following the release of an audiotape, in which he is
heard negotiating kickbacks with a local agent of Swiss equipment supplier in the government security printing press procurement deal
In the audiotape, Baskota is heard negotiating around Rs 740 million in commission with Bijay Prakash Mishra, the Nepal agent of a Swiss
equipment supplier, for procuring security printing press.
Under-secretary of the Parliament Ramhari Thapa said the PAC directed the
anti-graft body to investigate the allegations of corruption in the deal but did not name anybody
&The PAC has directed the CIAA to probe all those who were allegedly involved in the embezzlement,& Thapa added.
The PAC also directed the
government to immediately cancel its process in the security printing press procurement deal and to adopt global tender process to establish
The PAC also decided to call the line minister and secretary to discuss cost estimation as there were complaints that the estimation of cost
specified in the security printing procurement deal was abnormally high for certain goods and items.
Former Communication Minister Baskota
goes to court
Voice in kickback tape not Baskota&s, claims PM
Allegations of corruption yet to be proven: PM Oli defends Baskota
Minister
Baskota lands in controversy after ‘bargaining for commission& audio-clip leaks
The post PAC directs CIAA to probe security press deal
case appeared first on The Himalayan Times.
