KATHMANDU, Feb 20: Members of the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee have urged the committee chairperson to launch a probe into the questions raised on social media over the reliability of the committee regarding security printing procurement procedure.

During a meeting of the committee under the House of Representatives (HoR) on Thursday, the members voiced for taking actions against those who were involved in defaming the committee members under cybercrime charges. 

The members drew the attention of the PAC chairperson over the various questions raised over them accusing them of demanding commission in order to pick a German company for procuring a security printing press. 

"The allegations claiming that the members of the Accounts Committee have made a setting so that a German company would be chosen and they will be awarded the handsome commission have gone viral on the different social media platforms with the photos of committee members. We, therefore, seek a strong action against those persons who are defaming the committee members," they demanded.

Committee member Surya Pathak said that those involved in deteriorating prestige of the members of the committee linking them to the issue of procurement of security printing press for the government should be brought to book at the earliest. 

Another member Dr Minendra Rijal urged the committee chairperson to take the issue seriously and take necessary actions as some people have already started defaming the members accusing them of bargaining for Rs 4 billion to award the contract to a German company instead of Rs 740 million to Swiss firm. "An account having the name of Prabhat Kishor Upadhyay posted on social media with our photos along with allegation against us for our involvement in bargaining for the commission amount, therefore, I demand stringent action such persons who are defaming us in various ways," Rijal added. 

According to Rijal, it was a manoeuvre attack upon the committee and should be taken with due attention. 

Lawmaker Mohammad Istiyak Rai also voiced for immediate investigation over the media files in connection to this case and sought severe action against those involved in libelling the committee members without sufficient grounds. 

Dharamshala Chapagain also stressed for the need of intensive investigation over the controversy raised regarding the procurement of security printing press for the government. 

The lawmakers also demanded to draw the leaked audio recording of the conversation between the minister Baskota and the local agent of a Swiss company into the committee and hold a discussion over it. 

 
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