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Don’t assign any responsibility to Khadka: House panel to MoS
The Good Governance and Monitoring Committee of Parliament has directed the Ministry of Supplies (MoS) to relieve Gopal Khadka, managing director of Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), of his responsibilities to facilitate an ongoing probe into his involvement in irregularities.The Good Governance and Monitoring Committee of Parliament has directed the Ministry of Supplies (MoS) to relieve Gopal Khadka, managing director of Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), of his responsibilities to facilitate an ongoing probe into his involvement in irregularities.
Khadka is accused of misappropriating around Rs 1 billion while purchasing land plots in four districts for building oil storage facilities for the NOC.
The House panel has written to the MoS, asking it not to assign any responsibilities to Khadka until the ongoing investigation is completed.
Sita Kafle Wagle, under-secretary of the Committee Secretariat, said the House panel has already dispatched a letter to this effect to the ministry.
Committee Chairman Mohan Singh Rathour said the letter sent to the ministry, which does not say “suspend”, is meant at barring Khadka from carrying out any responsibilities as he is being probed.
The House panel instruction follows Supplies Secretary Krishna Devkota’s request for a parliamentary panel directive in writing in relation to corruption in NOC land deals.
Devkota is currently out of the country.
While a report by the sub-committee under the Industry, Commerce and Consumer Welfare Committee of Parliament has implicated Khadka in irregularities, an investigation by the Ministry of Supplies has also found NOC officials guilty of misappropriating a huge amount of money while purchasing land plots at different locations.
The MoS on Tuesday submitted its report to the Prime Minister’s Office, recommending action against Khadka.
Besides, the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority is also investigating into NOC’s land deals.
NOC officials, including Khadka, and local government staffers face the charge of misappropriating around Rs 800 million while buying land plots worth Rs 1.61 billion in Bhairahawa, Chitwan, Sarlahi and Jhapa.