The Bhaktapur-based Nepal Engineering College has been operated as a community education institution contrary to claims that it was being run by the private sector, a task force formed to investigate alleged irregularities in the college concluded in its report.

Lambodar Neupane, the college’s founder and member of the board of directors, and House of Representatives member Surya Bahadur KC had previously claimed that the College was being run by the private sector.

Chief District Officer of Bhaktapur, however, confirmed that the educational institution registered with the District Administration Office under the Registration Act, 2034 is operating as a community educational institution. The report was submitted to the Education and Health Committee under the House of Representatives.

Presenting the report at a committee meeting in Singha Durbar on Sunday, the task force concluded that the college has been registered as a community educational institution.

The task force, led by committee member Yogesh Bhattarai, has also recommended formation of a probe committee that will be tasked with recommending investigations into irregularities and corruptions involving the college and an action against the guilty.

It also proposed the committee direct the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to take necessary steps in resolving the problems facing the college students and staffers due to the incident. The college has 2,200 students and around 200 teachers and other staff.