RAUTAHAT: A ward secretary at Ishnath Rural Municipality- 4 of Rautahat has been held for his alleged involvement in embezzling money meant to be distributed for improving child nutrition in the ward.

The secretary Raj Dev Ram who had tried to swindle locals by paying them less allowance for the Child Nutrition Programme while distributing it, was arrested by the locals and handed over to police, said   local Ram Naresh Kuswaha.

Nepal Government had since January 2017 started to distribute RS 400 per two children under the age of 5 in a family in Rautahat, Achham and Bajura as children in these districts are severely malnourished.

Ram distributed Rs 1600 for a parent of Asmita Kumari and Susmita Kumari and urged to sign in the form without letting the parent see the form, which led the locals suspect his mala fide intent.  As they insisted on seeing the recipient log, they found that Ram had distributed Rs 1600 and made many parents sign that they received for six months, January to June, 2017.

DSP Nabin Krishna Bhandari at the District Police Office Rautahat informed that Ram is currently in the police custody and further investigation into the matter is underway, adding if found guilty, he would be punished according to the law.