Godawari Municipality Under Scrutiny for Arbitrary Budget Allocations and Mismanagement

Dhangadhi: The Godawari municipality in Kailali has come under scrutiny for allegedly making arbitrary budget allocations and unauthorized payments.

It has been revealed that the municipality has been paying for the repair of private vehicles without adhering to established financial regulations. A recent audit discovered that the municipality paid 63,332 rupees for the repair of private vehicles, a clear violation of the Financial Procedures and Financial Responsibility Regulations 2077.

According to sub-rule 5 of Rule 39, any such expenditure must be verified with the necessary bills and documents to ensure compliance before payment is made. Despite these regulations, Godawari municipality paid 63,332 rupees to Devraj Bhatta, the coordinator of the private vehicle maintenance and monitoring committee and ward member of ward number 2, for the maintenance of a private vehicle numbered Ba 28 Ch 4359.

This payment was made without the required documentation and approval process. The Auditor General's Office has recommended the recovery of the amount paid for the private vehicle repair, declaring it null and void.

This instance of financial mismanagement is not isolated; the municipality also spent 955,485 rupees on 765 blankets for senior citizens without proper compensation. These findings highlight significant lapses in financial oversight within Godawari municipality, calling for immediate action to ensure adherence to financial regulations and transparency in the use of public funds.