House panel to probe Sudan mission graft

(Updated)



KATHMANDU, Sept 2: The State Affairs Committee of the parliament on Wednesday formed a five-member sub-committee to probe into alleged financial irregularities in the purchase of logistics for Nepal Police personnel deployed in Sudan for UN peacekeeping mission. [break]



The sub-committee led by UML lawmaker Pradip Gyawali has been given a month to furnish its report. Other members of the sub-committee are Bhim Prasad Gautam of Unified CPN (Maoist), Jagadishwar Narsingh KC of Nepali Congress, Ram Janam Chaudhary of Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (Democratic) and Lila Nyaichyai of Nepal Workers´ and Peasants´ Party.



A presentation made by the committee in the meeting showed poor management and sub-standard goods used by the police personnel in Sudan.



A factsheet prepared by UN-AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) and distributed by the committee in the meeting states that the catering, communication systems, office, electricity, laundry and sanitation, tents, health facilities, furniture, welfare and internet facilities do not meet the standards.



All the committee members unanimously stressed need of a powerful sub-committee to probe into the alleged irregularities. They demanded that strong action be taken against the guilty for abuse of authority in the mission.



Home Minister Bhim Bahadur Rawal, who was also present in the meeting, expressed commitment to provide full support to the probe. The committee may request the home ministry to make arrangement for the field visit to Sudan if deemed necessary.



The committee had earlier issued a directive to the home ministry to furnish documents related to the procurement of logistics for the Sudan mission to the committee.

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