BIRENDRANAGAR June 1: Shalikram Poudel, under secretary at the Agriculture Sector Development Programme (ASDP), Surkhet was found using a government vehicle to send his family for a visit to Rara lake in Mugu district.

The government vehicle with registration number Karnali State 02001 JHA 0582 bears a white government number plate and was used by Under Secretary Poudel to send his father and family members on a trip to Rara lake on Wednesday. 

It has been learnt that Poudel’s relatives will reach their destination on Thursday and return back on Saturday. 

Paudel misused the government vehicle taking advantage of the transfer of ASDP’s Chief Binod Kumar Bhattarai. The newly-appointed chief of ASDP Basudev Kafle is yet to arrive at the office. Poudel used the vehicle that was meant for the office’s use for field visits. 

The government-run project has five official vehicles and one of them is not in a condition to operate. One vehicle is generally stationed in Kathmandu. 

According to a source, Poudel has a habit of borrowing office vehicles for rides to his home and in-laws for 15 to 20 days at a time. The ASDP is a government programme that partners with the agricultural groups and co-operatives in Karnali Province. ASDP Under Secretary Poudel, admitted that he sent his family members to Rara while he was on an official visit to Jumla to transport goods.

 
• ASDP
 
• Rara
 
• vehicle