Parliamentary committee confirms corruption in NOC land purchase scam

KATHMANDU:  A meeting of the Industry, Commerce and Consumer Rights Relations Committee of the Legislature-Parliament has submitted a report concluding that irregularities were carried out in the land purchase deal commissioned by the Nepal Oil Corporation.

A sub-committee formed by the Committee to prepare the details on the reported irregularities in the land procurement came up with a report stating that the land plots were purchased by paying 10 fold more cash than the market price.

The NOC had bought lands in Jhapa, Sarlahi, Chitwan and Rupandehi for building infrastructure to store petroleum products.

Committee President Bhishma Raj Angdembe said that decision was made to send the report to the Ministry of Supplies directing action after necessary investigation as per the clause 182 of the Legislature-Parliament Regulations.

Coordinator of the sub-committee Subas Chandra Thakuri said that financial embezzlement was confirmed as a vast difference was reported in the amount received by the land owners and the amount paid by the NOC.

Thakuri said that the embezzlement was carried out in connivance with the NOC Board of Directors, the Executive Chief, officials of the Land Revenue Office of the districts concerned and ward secretaries.

The sub-committee prepared its report after onsite visit and taking stock of the local situation as well as talking with the landowners.