CIAA starts probe into Pokhara airport row

KATHMANDU, Aug 27: While representatives from various sections of society in Pokhara are continuing relay hunger strike to exert pressure on the government to start construction of regional international airport in the tourist city, the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has started a probe into the row over the bidding process.



The anti-corruption body stepped into the issue after complaints were registered at the Commission demanding investigation on claims there were massive corruption in the deal.[break]



Some months ago, Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China CAMC Engineering Co, committing to support it win the tender.



"The finance ministry has sent us some related documents including the MoU signed by the finance minister with the Chinese company," Badri Gautam, who is overseeing the matter at the CIAA, told Republica.



The commission has also sought more documents from Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).



He said the Commission would investigate into the matter in detail to find if there was corruption or other irregularities while carrying out the deal so far.



The controversy surrounding the issue had rocked the parliament´s Public Accounts Committee in March.



Leaders from opposition parties held heated debate in the parliamentary committee, fiercely criticizing the finance minister for committing to support a Chinese company to win the tender.



Minister Pun and top officials from ministry of tourism and civil aviation were grilled by the then lawmakers over the controversy.

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