Preliminary investigations by the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) show that Yadav took a decision to transfer 77 officials between Monday evening and 1 a.m.Tuesday, sought Rs 1 million to 3 million each from them and left his office at midnight. [break]
Yadav, who is retiring within a month, had taken the decision during off hours despite serious objection from some officials at NEA. As per existing NEA regulations, someone who is retiring shortly and working in the capacity of officiating chief is strictly prohibited from deciding promotion and transfer of officials and procurements and taking other vital decisions that have long-term ramifications.
"The saga of how Yadav managed to take such decisions is intriguing," said a CIAA source, adding, "The commission has already ordered the NEA to scrap the decisions as evidence substantiates Yadav´s involvement in illegal decisions motivsated by bribes."
Some officials at NEA led by Ram Prasad Rimal, chairman of NEA Employees´ Union, had knocked the CIAA´s doors at 4 p.m. on Monday overYadav´s preparations to transfer officials. They informed CIAA Secretary Bhagwati Kafle that Yadav was all set to transfer more than six dozen NEA officials Monday night.
The CIAA secretary took their complaint seriously but asked the union representatives to wait and see till Tuesday.
Complaints by the union representatives came true Tuesday morning when Yadav had already taken a decision on the transfers.
"Yadav´s intention in transferring officials is crystal clear," said NEA Employees´ Union Chairman Rimal, adding, "Circumstantial evidence is enough to show that the decision was backed by bribes."
According to Rimal, Yadav had decided to transfer those who were last transferred just five months back.
"Yadav decided to transfer officials to the most lucrative offices and branches," Rimal added, "Why did he decide to make the transfers when the appointment process for a new CEO is already underway? Why did he attempt to transfer those working at lucrative offices? Why did he take a decision in haste? These questions show that his decision was motivated by malafide intention."
Yadav decided to transfer officials to most lucrative distribution and consumer branch offices including those at Bhadrapur, Bharatpur, Hetauda, Kawashoti and Nepaljung and Pulchowk in Lalitpur.
"These branches are considered most lucrative places for those who want to amass property through illicit means," Chairman Rimal divulged.
The CIAA immediately intervened against Yadv´s move, asking him to halt the transfers. The CIAA has already taken under control the transfer-related documents. Yadav didn´t pick up his mobile phone despite Republica´s repeated attempts to get a statement from him.
CIAA raids IRD officer´s house, seals bedroom
KATHMANDU: The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) on Wednesday raided the house owned by Pitambar Pokharel, finance officer of the Inland Revenue Department (IRD). Pokharel has been absconding since Monday following leakage of information regarding his involvement in the misuse of Rs 20 million from state coffers.
A CIAA team led by IRD officer Hem Raj Bhattarai raided Pokharel´s house at Dhapasi heights in Kathmandu.[break]
"The commission raided Pokharel´s house, sealed his bedroom and left two armed security personnel for the security of the sealed room," CIAA Spokesperson Ishowari Paudel disclosed.
It has been found that Pokharel used forged cheques, managed to release money from banks with tampered documents at different times and misused about Rs 20 million. The IRD had requested the CIAA in writing to probe and punish Pokharel for his alleged involvement in such scam. Sources said the IRD is also probing some more officials on suspicion of their involvement in the scam.
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