KATHMANDU, August 25: After the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) did not show any interest to resolve the problems at Sajha Prakashan, the Sajha officials have asked the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation to intervene.
Sajha officials said Education Minister Giriraj Mani Pokharel ignored their repeated requests to resolve the problem. “Then, we visited Cooperatives Minister Padma Kumari Aryal to sort out the problems,” they said.
PAC summons meeting to discuss Sajha irregularities
Sajha Prakashan is operating under the cooperatives manuals (2021 BS) and Sajha/Cooperatives law, while the work division regulations approved by the cabinet meeting of 2069 BS kept Sajha Prakashan under the MoEST. “This has created confusion and problems at the public sector publishing house,” said lawmaker Bijaya Subba, who is also elected member of the Sajha Prakashan Management Board.
Sajha Prakashan General Manager Dolindra Prasad Sharma, who was sacked on September 24, 2017, on the charge of multiple irregularities later succeeded in getting re-appointed as chairman of the publishing house with the backing of top politicians. Although Sharma’s term as chairman expired on July 27, he will continue as general manager for another three years. Although the post of chairman now remains vacant, the ministers have not done anything toward filling the vacant post. It is reported that senior political leaders have put pressure on ministers Pokharel and Aryal not to go against controversial Sharma.
Sharma was accused of appointing those close to political leaders and media persons, not carrying out audit after he was appointed in Sajha, not maintaining records of annual incomes and book publications, misusing Sajha logo and financial irregularities.
Sajha Prakashan has not been able to make promised payments to a total of 128 staffers who had been given a golden handshake on different occasions. About Rs 170 million will be needed to pay the 128 staffers, according to Desar Rai, coordinator of the struggle committee on behalf of the retired staffers.
