‘NOC chief will not be spared if proven guilty’

Kathmandu, September 2

Minister of Supplies Shiva Kumar Mandal today said action would be taken against Nepal Oil Corporation’s Chief Gopal Khadka, if his involvement in irregularities in the NOC’s land purchase deals were proven .

Speaking at a programme, the minister said the fact that the concerned persons, who should have raised such an issue seriously, were mum suggested that there were surely some problems.

Meanwhile, Rastriya Prajatantra Party Chairman Kamal Thapa urged the government be accountable. Thapa tweeted this morning requesting the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority to initiate action against those involved in the NOC’s land procurement deals.

“The government should be answerable. Also, I would request the CIAA to initiate action. Issuance of threats to journalists and lawmakers should stop,” Thapa tweeted. The NOC had purchased land in Jhapa, Sarlahi, Chitwan and Rupandehi to build oil storage plants. The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee has concluded that there were serious irregularities in the NOC’s land purchase deals.

The PAC has already directed the anti-graft body to conduct a detailed investigation into the controversial land deals and take action against those involved, attaching a copy of the letter to the ministry.