KATHMANDU: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) on Tuesday filed charge sheet against three government officials, including the Local Development Officer of Kathmandu, and three traders at the Special Court for their involvement in corruption while procuring tarpaulins meant for the earthquake survivors.

Those indicted today are Kathmandu's LDO Tirtha Raj Bhattarai, accounts officer Yamnath Sharma and storekeeper Chiranjeevi Khadka, and Mithileshwar Tiwari of New Pashupati Trade and Suppliers, Jhamka Prasad Gautam of Dipesh Enterprises and Hom Prasad Gautam of Sewika Enterprises.

The government officials face corruption charge of Rs 35,06,626 each.

Among the suppliers, Tiwari faces corruption charge of Rs 22,34,669.76, while Jhamka Prasad Gautam Rs 8,93,277 and Hom Prasad Gautam Rs 3,78,680.

According to the CIAA, the officials at Kathmandu district's Local Development Office in cahoots with the three others, who the CIAA said were agents and not real suppliers, procured the tarpaulins for those displaced after the April 25 earthquake overstating the quality, size and quantity of the relief material with an intention to take advantage of the situation.

Though tax was waived for the import, they showed that tax was paid for the tarpaulins and quoted Rs 12 per square feet of it, which was far more than the existing market rate.

The CIAA said its investigation found out that tarpaulins worth Rs 3,28,016 but billed Rs 43,79,745.06.

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