CIAA tells govt not to misuse budget

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) today directed the government not to transfer amounts from one topic to another in order to spend the budget at the end of the fiscal year.

Stating that its serious attention had been drawn to complaints regarding misapplication of the budget in this way, the anti-graft constitutional body issued a five-point directive to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Finance, Local Development, Education, and Irrigation ministries, National Planning Commission and the Office of the Auditor General not to transfer amounts from one heading to another to spend the budget.

The CIAA directive came in response to complaints registered at the anti-graft body seeking action against misuse of budget.The anti-graft body directed government bodies not to operate any programme at the end of any fiscal if it was not listed in the National Planning Commission’s schedule and the budget. Also, it directed the bodies not to operate any programme without cost estimation and if the tender process is incomplete or framed haphazardly.

The anti graft body also told them not to launch long-term projects at the end of the fiscal as it would create long-term financial burden on the state. The CIAA also directed authorities not to divide the amount for various works at the end of the fiscal if it had not been divided earlier. It also directed the bodies not to disburse money to haphazardly framed programmes in the name of people’s participation.

The apex court also warned it would take action if the authorities did not comply with the order.