The committee on Thursday directed five ministries--Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development, and Ministry of Commerce Supplies--to furnish details of the relief amount and goods received from domestic and international donors and bought by the government and their district-wise distribution details within two days for investigation into allegations of irregularities.Speaking at the meeting of the committee at Singha Durbar, Janardhan Sharma, chairman of the committee, also directed the Ministry of Finance to provide details of tax waived for earthquake relief materials imported during the earthquakes."
"We will thoroughly study the details of the relief materials received and purchased by the concerned ministries and the distribution of the goods to find out if any irregularities had taken place as claimed by lawmakers," said he.
Ram Hari Khatiwada, a lawmaker of the ruling Nepali Congress, said, "The Saudi Arabian's government had sent over 12,000 high-quality tarpaulins, each costing over Rs 100,000. But there is no mention of the tarpaulins in the Home Ministry records. Where have the tarpaulins gone? Our committee should investigate the matter." He said that the Saudi Arabian government is sending 3000 more tarpaulins.
He said that an investigation carried out by the National Vigilance Center has found that officials at the Ministry of Urban Development embezzled over Rs 24 million while purchasing tents and tarpaulins for the earthquake victims as immediate relief.
The center, which has submitted its report to Prime Minister Sushil Koirala a week ago, has stated that the ministry purchased low quality tents and tarpaulins at the same price as high-quality tents."
"It has been learnt that the ministry purchased tents costing Rs 1,000 and showed Rs 3000 in the records. The government should take stern action against the officials involved in the irregularities," alleged Khatiwada.
Rishi kesh Pokharel, another lawmaker, also said that the committee should seriously investigate into the financial irregularities by the Ministry of Urban Development while purchasing tents for relief distribution.
"Similarly, where are the blankets sent by Bangladesh government? The government should make public details of relief materials received and how were they distributed," added he.
The Bangladesh government had sent 57,272 blankets but the Home Ministry has record of just 2,000.
Dipak Khadka, another lawmaker, said that the government has not made public how much and where it distributed noodles and beaten rice to the victims during the first few days of the April 25 earthquake. He said the government bodies should provide specific and district-wise details of relief materials received from domestic and foreign donors and where and how the items were distributed.
Some lawmakers criticized Prime Minister Sushil Koirala for not taking action against those involved in irregularities related to relief distribution although he had expressed commitment to punish the wrongdoers. Earlier, following complaints by various stakeholders about irregularities related to relief materials, PM had announced that the government would not spare officials involved in any kind of irregularities during relief materials.
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