14 lakhs spent on telephone in Kedar-Syun in Bajhang, purchase of vehicle worth 68 lakhs
Dhangadhi: People's representatives of Kedar-Syun Rural Municipality of Bajhang have spent 14 lakh 22 thousand for telephone mobile in the financial year 2077/078. According to the Auditor General's annual report of 2079, the people's representative of the rural municipality has spent the telephone mobile at that price.
In one financial year, the outgoing village president Indra Bhandari spent 72 thousand, village vice president Nisha Dhami 60 thousand, 9 ward presidents 378 thousand, 6 executive members 216 thousand, and 30 village council members 696 thousand.
In the Act related to the facilities of the officials and members of the local level of the Sudurpaschim province, it is stipulated that the head and deputy head of the municipality cannot have personal advisers. However, it has been found that Bhandari, the former chairman of Kedarsyun village council, has appointed Bipin Rokaya as his personal advisor. It is mentioned in the report that Bhandari paid him at the rate of 18,000 per month.
Similarly, it has been found that Prashant Bhandari was appointed and paid a monthly salary of 15 thousand 950 rupees in Bhanse against the rules. It is mentioned in the report that in all the 9 wards, judicial facilitators were appointed against the law and given 15,000 per person per month.
Arbitrariness in vehicle purchase
The rural municipality has purchased 7 two-wheelers and 1 four-wheeler in the financial year 07778. The municipality has purchased 7 two-wheelers worth 20 lakhs and one four-wheeler for 48 lakhs. The total purchase amount of all these vehicles come to 68 lakhs.
According to the directive No. 5.15 of 2074 on the implementation of the budget formulation at the local level of the Ministry of Finance, vehicles cannot be purchased for the regular purpose of the office from the budget and resources provided by the government of Nepal, but the municipality spent 68 lakhs to purchase vehicles. Among these vehicles, four-wheelers are being used by the president, vice-president and chief administrative officer, while 7 two-wheelers are being used by ward presidents and staff.
