Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress lawmaker Ram Hari Khatiwada has accused Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Sudan Kirati of trying to pocket Rs 180 million in commission in the name of procuring aircraft for the Nepal Airlines Corporation.
Speaking in the meeting of the House of Representatives on Sunday, Khatiwada said Minister Kirati is moving ahead with the procurement plan even though a committee formed by NAC has said it is not feasible to procure aircraft in the present condition. “The plan is to bring 300G aircraft which is no longer in production. I have got information that the plan is to pocket Rs 180 million as commission,” Khatiwada said.
Khatiwada added that Minister Kirati has appointed 62 new employees in Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) on a contract and daily wage basis on top of 1,200 permanent and 800 outsourced employees that NAC already has on its payroll. “Some of these employees are pocketing salary by only signing the attendance register,” he added.
He also questioned the appointment of disputed individuals like Lharkyal Kama as the Vice Chairman of Lumbini Development Trust. “No sooner he was appointed, he initiated a plan to hand over land in Ramgram on a 99-year lease to a private party,” Khatiwada said. “Millions of rupees are being embezzled in contracts like these.”
Khatiwada, who also chairs the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the parliament, said the minister is working for personal benefits instead of the benefits of the people and the state.
