Pokhara, January 5

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Ishwor Pokhrel today claimed that the report submitted by the sub-committee under the Parliamentary Accounts Committee on the investigation into procurement of two wide-body aircraft for Nepal Airlines Corporation was aimed at defaming the Nepal Communist Party (NCP)-led government.

Speaking at a press meet organised by Press Organisation Nepal in Pokhara, Minister Pokhrel claimed that the report of the sub-committee was not made by experts and making the report public as a court verdict was inappropriate.

A discussion was held in the Parliamentary Accounts Committee regarding the purchase of the wide-body aircraft. The sub-committee distorted facts and added some names with ill-intent to defame the government, he said.

Minister Pokhrel, however, said that the government was ready to accept the report prepared by experts. “Even if any sitting minister is found guilty by such a committee, s/he will not be spared,” he said.

In a different context, Minister Pokhrel said that lawmaker Resham Chaudhary was administered the oath of office by the Speaker as demands had been raised for the same from several quarters. “Chaudhary, who has been accused of involvement in the Tikapur carnage, was administered the oath of the office and secrecy in line with the constitution. He has not yet been proven guilty by the court,” he said.

Pokhrel admitted that the incumbent government had failed to work as per the people’s expectation. “Due to delay in formulating laws and putting in place new structures, development activities have failed to gain momentum,” Minister Pokhrel said. He, however, expressed confidence that development activities would gather momentum very soon.

On Nirmala rape and murder case, Pokhrel hoped that the guilty would be booked sooner or later.