Financial irregularities in Khotang

Published On: December 5, 2019 09:33 AM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KHOTANG, Dec 5: A committee formed to investigate financial irregularities in Barahapokhari Rural Municipality of Khotang district has found four wards of the local unit distributing social security allowances in the name of deceased senior citizens and widows.

A six-member committee led by Gomadevi Magar, vice-chairperson of the rural municipality, has found there has been irregularities in distributing social security allowance in ward number 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Barahapokhari Rural Municipality.

The committee, submitting its report to the rural municipality on Tuesday, concluded that there has been misuse of social security allowance.

The committee was formed after a complaint was filed by more than 50 locals of Barahapokhari Rural Municipality.

The locals had accused the rural municipality of releasing allowance in the name of 19 dead senior citizens, six dead widows, and six residents who have already migrated to other districts.

As per the locals, the rural municipality has been releasing allowance in the name of dead widows – Khadga Maya Magar, Garbi Maya Tamang, Dangi Maya Tamang, Nir Maya Magar, Bishnu Laxmi Shrestha, and Madan Kumari Rai.

Likewise, senior citizens' allowance has been released in the name of Harka Bahadur Magar, Sanman Thapa Magar, Lal Bahadur Rai, Manamya Rai, Bhakta Bahadur Karki, Ful Maya Tamang, Badan Maya Magar, Bam Bahadur Khatri, Devi Prasad Shrestha, Dal Maya Magar, Tilak Bahadur Rai, Dambar Kumari Shrestha, Gyan Laxmi Shrestha, Chandra Maya Khadka, Kaushilya Devi Acharya, Kapil Bahadur Rai, Bhala Maya Kami, Dhojbir Damai, and Manamaya Kami, who are already dead.

Likewise, senior citizens' allowance has also been released in the name of citizens who have already migrated to other districts such as Biratnagar, Udayapur, among others, the complaint stated.

In January 2019, a team of government auditors from the Office of the Auditor General had also found that local units under Barahapokhari Rural Municipality had released social security allowance in the name of dead and migrated citizens.