Following investigations, the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) found that Lila Kant Das, program coordinator of Faith Nepal, the NGO which was working with PAF, was guilty of misappropriating Rs 5.7 million in funds meant for the underprivileged communities. [break]
The NGO, whose chairman is Das´ wife Hema Mallik, has been executing a PAF-funded program to mitigate poverty in Dhanusha district. The money was meant for 15 various groups from underprivileged communities living in Lohana and Kanakpatti VDCs and Janakupr Municipality. However, the amount never reached the target groups.
After learning about what happened to the funds meant for the needy groups, PAF district representative Ajaya Patel started an investigation and found that the money was diverted to personal use. Once this came to light, PAF blacklisted Faith Nepal and started action against it.
According to a PAF officer, Das is now on the run. The CIAA has directed police to arrest him as he did not turn up to submit clarifications.
Meanwhile, a team from the CIAA has started in-depth investigations, questioning members of the under privileged groups that the amount was meant for. A CIAA team has recorded the statements of the chairmen, secretaries and treasurers of all 15 target groups.
Following an agreement with PAF, Faith Nepal had been conducting income generation programs for the underprivileged communities in Kanakpatti and Lohana VDCs and Wards No. 12, 13, and 16 of Janakpur Municipality.
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