Chairman Pokharel: Authority Should Recover Around NPR 22 Billion, Not Just NPR 8.25 Billion

Morang—Public Accounts Committee Chairman Rishikesh Pokharel today said that his meeting with industrialists and businessmen regarding the reconnection of dedicated and Trunk line and reconsidering electricity dues should not be misinterpreted.

Speaking briefly with Desh Sanchar , Chairman Pokharel said that it is natural to meet and hold discussions with industrialists and businessmen, whether in the office or outside.

Regarding the ongoing discussions on the outstanding dues for dedicated and trunk line services, he said, “The issue is under discussion in the Accounts Committee. They are participating in the discussions in the committee and any further meeting with them them outside to gather more information , should not be exaggerated.
has been exaggerated.

He said the committee is focused on collecting information so that the issue could be settled lawfully on the basis of evidences.

“The Authority has acted as per the Lal Commission, reports , mainly . While the Auditor General has claimed that around NPR 22 billion is outstanding, the Lal Commission recommended recovering only NPR 8.25 billion. Why did the Authority maintain silence earlier and ignored recovering NPR 13.5 billion in dues? How did the Cabinet meeting allow such a large amount to be waived off? This needs to be looked into,” he said.

Chairperson Pokharel noted that the then Prime Minister had waived off around NPR 13.5 billion.

“The Prachanda government formed the Lal Commission to recover the dues. On April 9, a letter from the Prime Minister’s Office, citing a Cabinet decision, was issued with two different recommendations under the same reference number. One suggested waiving off around NPR 13.5 billion. The Auditor General’s report indicates that the Authority should recover around NPR 22 billion in dues, of which the Cabinet’s decision concerning the Lal Commission states that only NPR 8.25 billion should be collected. Why did the Prime Minister’s Office grant such a waiver? The issue arises from here,” he said.

Clarifying that the government’s decision to dismiss two members of the Authority’s board was not related to him, Chairperson Pokharel added, “Why are these big individuals getting nervous now? Why engage in artificial propaganda? When the Auditor General’s report highlights that around NPR 22 billion is the hard-earned money of the people, why are these individuals panicking just because discussions are being held? While the committee is still in discussions and no decision has been made, why are these big individuals so anxious?”

He also stated that along with the decision from the then Cabinet meeting to recover only NPR 8.25 billion out of the NPR 13.5 billion, the committee is committed to seeking the entire NPR 22 billion as indicated in the Auditor General’s report.

PAC chief says it will look into recovery on dedicated n trunk lines fairly and lawfully.