Misappropriation of cooperative fund: Parliamentary Special Committee begins report drafting

Kathmandu, August 28—The parliamentary investigation committee tasked with probing the misappropriation of cooperative savings funds is preparing to draft its report. The committee is currently in session.

Committee member Lekhnath Dahal alias Rajan announced that the report writing will commence from today’s meeting. “We are starting the report preparation in today’s meeting. The statement-taking phase has been completed and the report must be finished within the given timeframe,” he said.

The committee has already gathered statements from representatives of 29 cooperatives as outlined in the terms of reference (TOR). Additionally, statements have been taken from several high-profile individuals, including RSP Joint General Secretary Bipin Acharya and President Rabi Lamichhane.

“We have recorded testimonies from everyone except GB Rai,” Dahal added.

The special committee, led by CPN (UML) MP Surya Thapa, was established following a House of Representatives meeting on May 28. Although the committee’s term was set to end on August 31, members believe they should be granted an extension until September 7, as the committee is allowed three months from the start of its work.

The committee includes Sarita Bhusal from UML, Dilendra Badu and Ishwaridevi Neupane from the Nepali Congress, Lekhnath Dahal from the CPN (Maoist Centre), Shishir Khanal from the Rashtriya Swatantra Party, and Dhruva Bahadur Pradhan from the Rashtriya Prajatantra Party.

According to the TOR, the committee is tasked with examining the crisis in cooperative organizations and making recommendations on legal and institutional reforms, regulation, supervision, and transparency.

The committee is also responsible for suggesting ways to quickly and effectively return the misappropriated funds. Additionally, the committee will review the flow of funds from cooperative organizations to other entities, including Gorkha Media Network Pvt.