According to a recent report prepared by the Office of the Prime Minister (PMO), which was submitted to Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, former PM Dahal had “misused” about Rs 60 million under several headings like financial assistance, medical treatment, grants and compensations from the Relief Fund for the Conflict Victims. [break]
The report, which covers the period between 2005-2009, was prepared under PM Nepal´s instructions. The PMO two weeks ago had issued Directives on Financial Assistance Control Mechanism, which has stripped the prime minister of the right to provide such assistance from the state fund.
“Our study has shown that Dahal doled out Rs 58.9 million through his direct orders and cabinet decisions in the name of financial assistance, medical treatment and others,” a cabinet source told myrepublica.com, adding, “Most of the amount was released in the name of his close aides and organizations.”
The amount is double the money doled out by the other two PMs -- Girija Prasad Koirala and Nepal. Koirala, as per the report, spent Rs 32.2 million in 2005 and Rs 28 million in 2006, while Nepal has so far doled out Rs 35 million (from the month of May 23). The amount of Rs 32.2 million (in 2005-2006) was spent jointly by the government of then PM Koirala and former King Gyanendra. Gyanendra headed the government following his power seizure from Feb 2005-April 2006.
- Dahal doled out Rs 60m in nine months
- The chief executives doled out Rs 154 million in 5 yrs
- GP Koirala and ex-king jointly spent Rs 32.2 million
- GPK alone spent Rs 28 million
- Madhav Nepal spent Rs 35 million, has sought additional Rs 2.5 million
Koirala was the prime minister from April 2006 to 2008 August while Dahal was prime minister from August 2008 to May 2009. Prime Minister Nepal has been in the post for the last seven months.
“The amount spent by the three prime ministers is the example of misuse of state coffers,” the source said, adding, “Our report concludes that the spirit of Financial Assistance Directive was to provide financial assistance to the genuinely poor people but the PMs distributed the amount mostly to already well off people.”
Prime Minister Nepal´s expenditure is likely to increase as he has already sought additional Rs 2.5 million from the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to be spent under various heads, including financial assistance, medical treatment and grants, among others.
“The PM had ordered us to prepare a report on money doled out by former PMs under direct instructions saying that the current government has spent very less,” the source added.
According to the report, the PMs had recommended to the Finance Section, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction to provide financial assistance under various heads especially to people and organizations close to their party.
Related story
Hold Accountable Those Misusing Public Education Funds
