"We have already seized all related documents from the ministries. From Wednesday, we will start a full-fledged investigation into allegations that the ministers and other officials have been providing medical expenses on the basis of their personal biases," said Bhawani Subedi, press advisor to CIAA Chief Commissioner Lok Man Singh Karki.A cabinet meeting on August 13 had decided to provide over Rs 15 million to some 25 people from various districts as financial assistance for medical treatment, on the basis of the recommendations of a committee comprising representatives of the three ministries. The committee was formed to select cases of genuine need for the financial assistance.
Earlier also, the cabinet had made a similar decision following the committee's recommendations.
Following complaints that the committee had been distributing money arbitrarily, the anti-graft body has started investigations into the matter, said CIAA officials.
The committee has also been found distributing the money unevenly. The cabinet decision of August 13 provides from Rs 200,000 to Rs 250,000 to a given beneficiary.
"We are looking into whether the committee provided financial assistance in line with a certain standard and valid criteria. We are also probing how much money the committee has spent so far by way of financial assistance for medical treatment," added Subedi. He said the CIAA has been carrying out preliminary investigations since the last four days.
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