Ghodaghodi Municipality Found to Have Spent Rs 1 Crore 58 Lakh Irregularly

Dhangadhi — The Ghodaghodi Municipality of Kailali has come under scrutiny following revelations of irregular expenditure amounting to Rs 1 crore 58 lakh.

According to a report published by the Office of the Auditor General for the fiscal year 2079/80, the municipality has been found to have bypassed legal procurement processes in the acquisition of various goods and services.

The report highlights multiple violations of the Public Procurement Act, 2063, and the Public Procurement Regulations, 2064. Specifically, it notes that the municipality made direct purchases in contravention of Section 8 (2) of the Act, as well as Rules 3, 85, and 8 of the Regulations.

Significant irregularities include the expenditure of Rs 9,91,892 on soil filling and an additional Rs 4,95,509 on gravel in the municipal premises. Furthermore, Rs 9,47,039 was spent on constructing concrete drains, and Rs 7,62,340 on repairing a rented building.

Among the most notable illegal expenditures are: - Rs 31,96,780 spent on unspecified goods and services. - Rs 4,15,328 on premix carpeting in Ward No. 7. - Rs 9,88,944 on carpeting in Ward No. 3. - Rs 5,15,328 on carpeting in Ward No. 2. - Rs 19,19,600 on carpeting for three ward offices.

 Rs 9,98,920 on air conditioners, with an additional Rs 2,65,550 on installation. - Rs 7,01,625 on AC and TV purchases. - Rs 4,05,232 on bore connection. - Rs 2,92,576 on constructing a boundary wall for Ward No. 3 office. - Rs 7,43,427 on office construction and equipment. - Rs 3,85,325 on soil filling. - Rs 3,90,524 on additional soil filling. - Rs 6,98,838 on road graveling.

- Rs 4,77,456 on culvert construction in Ward No. 4. - Rs 1,95,144 on concrete wall construction in Ward No. 1. - Rs 4,99,804 on park construction in Ward No. 12. - Rs 6,66,576 on constructing an eye hospital truss in Ward No. 1. - Rs 9,88,503 on culvert construction in Ward No. 3. - Rs 8,77,364 on health post construction, boundary wall, and graveling in Ward No. 1. - Rs 2,77,779 on

electrical equipment purchases. - Rs 5,96,872 on hump pipe installation at Pahalmanpur Chowk. - Rs 4,86,804 on wall construction in Dodanadi. - Rs 8,79,219 on the construction of a Dharamshala in Krishna Mandir.

The report underscores a systemic issue of non-compliance with procurement laws within Ghodaghodi Municipality, indicating a need for stringent oversight and reform to ensure transparency and accountability in municipal spending. The irregular expenditures call for an urgent review and potential corrective measures to address the misuse of public funds.