DPM sends corruption-charged official abroad

KATHMANDU, Aug 31: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Planning and Works Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar has sent an under-secretary for a training abroad helping him escape prosecution by the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA). [break]



It is learnt that Gachchhadar one-and-a-half months ago sent chief of Road Division, Siraha, Nabonath Jha to Japan for a two-months training, while the police was hunting for him following an arrest warrant from Chief District Officer (CDO) of Udayapur Madhusudan Burlakoti.



The CDO is the local representative of the CIAA in districts who is authorized to investigate into cases of corruption and punish those found guilty. Burlakoti had ordered the District Police Office Udayapur two-and-a-half months ago to arrest Jha and hand him over to the District Administration Office.



Jha was accused of financial irregularities in four construction and repair projects in Udayapur, including Triyuga- BN Chowk Road. "I had asked him to furnish details of the expenses, when locals complained of the use of sub-standard construction materials," said CDO Burlakoti, adding that he would recommend the CIAA to prosecute Jha for not cooperating with the authorities in the investigation.



“A government officer who is called for investigation by an authorized agency should first get a clean-chit before he is officially allowed to travel abroad," said Harihar Sharma, spokesman at the ministry. Sharma, however, said he did not have any knowledge about the case.



Officials at the ministry claimed that Gachchhadar had permitted Jha to visit Japan as a favor despite having knowledge about the case. It is only the concerned minister who can approve foreign visits of the official the rank of under-secretary and above.



"The question is of intention, whether to follow the rules or not," a senior official at the ministry said.



Director General of Road Department Ram Kumar Lamsal said that Jha went to Japan as his schedule was already fixed. "After he returns, the case could proceed," he said. Jha is expected to return soon as his training in Japan is about to complete.



Meanwhile, some sources at the department even claimed that Burlakoti and Jha were good friends. "Jha did not want to respond to the CDO, who is also a second class officer, and hence used his influence to go abroad despite the arrest warrant," said an official who claims to know both very closely.

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