Transparency International Nepal expresses concern over Lalita Niwas land scam

Published On: July 22, 2019 01:47 PM NPT By: Ajit Rai

KATHMANDU, July 22: Transparency International Nepal(TIN) has expressed concern over the news regarding the registration of the Baluwatar-based government land where Prime Minister's official residence is situated-also referred to as 'Lalita Niwas land'- in the name of individuals issuing a press release on Monday.

“The TIN has drawn its attention to the probe being conducted by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) and Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police into the involvement of the persons in Baluwatar land scam who were implicated by the report prepared by the team spearheaded by former secretary Shree Sharada Prasad Trital,”reads the press statement.

Expressing dismay at the news about the possible involvement of responsible bureaucrats including former prime minister and ministers in the illegal act of registering the Baluwatar-based government land in the name of individuals, the TIN has urged the CIAA to conduct a probe into the Baluwatar land scam in a fair, free and bold manner.

It has also called for strong legal action against those who will be found guilty of the land scam.

Likewise, making an indirect reference to the possible involvement of politicians in the land scam, the press release states that it is impossible for government employees to get involved in large-scale corruption without the support of politicians holding powerful political positions.

“The poignant fact is that politicians in our country absolve themselves of corruption by blaming it on government employees. We believe in the veracity of the conclusion drawn from many researches that political leaders are primarily responsible for large-scale corruption cases,” reads the press statement.

Meanwhile, it has urged all the concerned stakeholders to stand out against large- scale corruption cases.

According to the reports recently published by various media outlets, land revenue officials, former ministers, political leaders and secretaries at various ministries colluded in the registeration of 114 ropani of Lalita Niwas land in the name of nearly 100 individuals.