Election process unfolds amidst allegations of political interference, corruption

KATHMANDU, June 28: The Nepal Red Cross Society is embroiled in controversy once again as political interference and corruption have hindered its operations. The Ministry of Home Affairs recently issued orders for the preparation of its elections, disregarding previous instructions given by the District Administration Office. The government's move to initiate the election process without informing the central ad hoc committee, led by Dr Netprasad Timsina, has sparked concerns about transparency and fairness within the organization.

Allegations of irregularities and corruption within the Nepal Red Cross Society have raised suspicions that the government's involvement in the election is aimed at promoting individuals connected to such misconduct to leadership positions. Following the instruction from the Home Ministry, the District Administration Office in Kathmandu, contrary to its instructions before, sent a letter directing the elections to be held on June 11.

In response, Dr Netprasad Timsina, the chairman of the central ad hoc committee, released a statement affirming their intent to file a legal response in accordance with the interim order of the Supreme Court. Dr Timsina, along with Acting General Secretary Dipendra Dhakal and Treasurer Sitaram Koirala, have expressed serious objections to the letter from the District Administration Office, stating that they oppose any discussion or consultation that disregard the central ad hoc committee's authority.

Earlier rulings from both the Supreme Court and the District Administration Office in Kathmandu emphasized that the Red Cross elections should only proceed after completing the necessary processes and adhering to the organization's statutes and regulations. They further deemed the central convention called by Director Umesh Prasad Dhakal to be in violation of the statutes and prevailing laws of the Nepal Red Cross.

According to the Red Cross statute, the election officers for the Central Working Committee, Provincial Working Committee, and District Working Committee are appointed by the Central Working Committee itself. The list of election representatives is then endorsed by the General Secretary. However, the DAO, Kathmandu,  cited instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs in their letter, disregarding the authority of the current ad hoc committee.

President Timsina has expressed dismay at the neglect of all stakeholders, including the Nepalese government, in finding a legal solution to the ongoing crisis. He strongly rejected any strategic plan aimed at protecting those involved in corruption and distributing responsibility within the Red Cross to the same individuals.

Multiple complaints have surfaced regarding financial manipulations during the construction of Red Cross warehouses, land leases, project approvals, and distributions. President Timilsina alleged that the government planned to entrust the Red Cross to parties connected to various controversial issues. For example, officials within the Red Cross allegedly sold government-allocated land in Itahari for Rs 110 million and colluded with a contractor to embezzle over Rs 30 million during the construction of a warehouse worth  Rs 110 million.

Investigations conducted earlier by the National Planning Commission, Social Welfare Council, District Administration Office in Kathmandu, and Nepal Police revealed that nearly Rs 16 billion  collected from foreign aid were spent without government knowledge. Various probe committees found that the previous Red Cross leadership had misappropriated over Rs 3 billion, highlighting the scale of the financial irregularities.

 
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