High level officials also under investigation in gold smuggling case: Home Minister

KATHMANDU: Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa has said even high level officials were brought under investigation in connection to the gold smuggling scam.

Responding to queries raised by lawmakers on the Appropriation Bill concerning the Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday, Minister Thapa said as the investigation was going on, it would take time for more details to come out. However, the detailed information on it would be shared to the parliament, he assured.

He further said everything could not be divulged right now because the investigation was going on. "Government is committed to implementing law to ensure people feel the zero tolerance against corruption," he argued, adding that those involving in smuggling, corruption and anti-people activities would not be spared. Lawmaker Prem Suwal had put forth questions about the status of investigation of gold smuggling.

Minister Thapa warned that the contractors delaying construction would face due action. Similarly, policy level arrangements were put in place to solve problems that would be caused by natural disasters and road accidents too.

In order to ensure the right to citizenship, a proposal was forwarded to the Law Ministry. Likewise, crimes in border region would be curbed by mobilising border security forces.