The Public Accounts Committee under the House of Representatives has instructed the Abuse of Authority Investigation Commission to investigate and investigate the corruption that took place during the construction of the Pokhara Regional International Airport.
The Public Accounts Committee's meeting on Wednesday decided to send a written report to the authority to investigate the alleged irregularities and corruption during the construction of Pokhara International Airport. Chairman Rishikesh Pokharel said that the sub-committee has decided to issue instructions to the audit committee for action along with the report.
The sub-committee chaired by Rajendra Lingden concluded that there was at least 10 billion rupees of corruption in the construction of Pokhara Airport and submitted the report to the Audit Committee.
The sub-committee concluded that there was corruption in the construction of Pokhara International Airport right from the contract process. The sub-committee recommended the suspension of 8 technicians and employees, including the then project chief and current director general of the Civil Aviation Authority, Pradeep Adhikari. Along with the report, the audit committee has sent a letter to the Authority for investigation and action. On the one hand, in the
report, the names and responsibilities of the high-level officials who made policy decisions regarding the construction of the airport, the contract process and the increase in costs have not been specified.
A report was prepared by the sub-committee of the Public Accounts Committee saying that there had been corruption by negotiating against the Public Procurement Act, cost increase of 6 billion 56 million, return of 2 billion 22 million for tax exemption, additional payment of 320 million in Chinedanda cutting.
It was the conclusion of the subcommittee that the contract process was concluded through negotiation by increasing the cost price by a large number before the construction of the airport started. Although the authority estimated the cost at 145 million US dollars (13.59 billion rupees according to the exchange rate of 2014), the sub-committee concluded that the cost had been increased by 70 million dollars (6.56 billion) by signing a contract with the Chinese company CAMC Engineering.
It was mentioned in the report of the sub-committee that loans were taken without a feasibility study and a strategic action plan for airport operation, environmental impact assessment was not done before the construction of the airport and cutting of the airport, and the airport construction process was carried out according to the wishes of the construction company rather than the need.
With this report, the Audit Committee has decided to send a letter for further investigation and action.
