Energy ministry flays CIAA directive

KATHMANDU, Sept 24: Minister for Energy Radha Gyawali has expressed objection on the direction of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) to take departmental action against her in connection to a procurement decision, saying that the decision oversteps the authority of the executive.

Responding to the direction of the anti-grant body, Gyawali said that CIAA has tried to supersede the provision of Public Procurement Act which states that dissatisfied bidders can apply for a review to the head of the public body, a press statement issued by the Ministry of Energy said. "If the bidder is not satisfied with the decision of head of the public body, the bidder can appeal to the review panel," the statement added.


CIAA said Minister Gyawali, as the chairperson of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Board, and three members of the board, were involved in policy corruption by deciding to award Solu Corridor Transmission Line Project to the second lowest bidder -- Mohan Energy Corporation (P) Ltd -- on August 21. The decision inflicts loss of Rs 270 million on NEA, according to CIAA.

CIAA had said that the lowest bidder, JV of Jaguar Overseas Ltd and BS Ltd, was not given due place in technical evaluation of the bid and was not even asked to furnish clarification on technical matters.

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