Over Rs 300,000 embezzlement found in Doti community forest, case filed against three including chairperson
Dhangadhi: Financial irregularities have been uncovered in the Social Welfare Janajagrut Community Forest Users Committee of K.I.S. Rural Municipality-2 in Doti district. Following a complaint alleging collusion by the committee chairperson and some members to withdraw and misuse bank-deposited funds generated from timber sales, an investigation has confirmed corruption amounting to Rs 301,996.
The investigation revealed that although the committee claimed to have purchased saplings worth Rs 67,500 for plantation activities, no credible evidence was found to support this, and the related bills were found to be suspicious. Field monitoring further confirmed that no saplings were present at the locations where plantation was reportedly carried out.
Similarly, documents were submitted showing payments of Rs 29,312 each to eight participants for a three-month sewing and cutting training program. However, discrepancies were found as different certified copies of the same payment were submitted by the Division Forest Office, Doti, and the users committee, leading to the conclusion that the documents were fake.
The investigation also revealed that some individuals listed as training participants were engaged in the construction of a culvert at another location during the same period. Due to geographical distance and time constraints, it was determined that participation in both activities was not possible. The inquiry concluded that funds were embezzled by preparing false documents for training programs and activities that were never conducted.
Based on these findings, a charge sheet has been filed at the Special Court in Kathmandu against committee chairperson Padam Bahadur Pun Magar, secretary Tara Devi Saund and treasurer Dil Bahadur Saund under Section 17 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2059 BS. The prosecution has demanded a fine equal to the misappropriated amount, imprisonment and recovery of the embezzled funds.
Dineshkhabar Desk