They are of the opinion that action can be taken, as forcing anyone to make a donation is an actionable offence. UCPN (Maoist) Kaski in-charge Jhalpani Tiwari on Monday disclosed that he had taken a huge amount in ´donation´ from the contractors. [break]
Western Regional Administrator Narayangopal Malego said that he is yet to find out the truth behind the issue although he had heard news about Maoists taking ´donations´ from the contractors. He emphasized the need for investigations into the issue.
“We came to know from media about the Maoist party collecting donations from contractors involved in the airport construction work. Anyone going against the law should be investigated and subjected to action,” he said.
However, Kaski Chief District Officer Chetnath Bhattarai said the administration cannot initiate investigations on its own until there is a written complaint or charges are made.
“We can begin investigations if anyone complains in writing or a charge is made against donation seekers. They have said that the donation was taken on behalf of the party. So the incident will become a national issue,” Bhattarai said.
The Maoists took Rs 5 million in donations from three contractors--Kanchanjangha Construction Service, Shankarmali Construction, and PS Construction-- for tenders worth 80 million for boundary and leveling work at the proposed airport site at Chhinnedanda, according to Dawn News, a Maoist periodical.
However, Maoist district chief Tiwari did not disclose how much money was involved. Tiwari said the donation was collected the same way other parties sought financial help from businessmen.
He also disclosed that the donation was collected under the leadership of former Constitution Assembly member from Kaski Constituency-2 Ram Kaji Gurung, who is also coordinator of the committee formed to sort out obstacles in the construction of the regional international airport. “The donation was meant to support the various activities of the party. It was not for any particular leader, so there is no question of corruption,” he said.
Gurung, however, claimed that the donation amount was between Rs 200,000 and 400,000 and not what was reported in the media.
Locals in Pokhara have become anxious as rumors of financial irregularities in the airport construction have increased after the UCPN(Maoist) Kaski chapter publicly admitted to taking donations.
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