PAC Urges CIAA to Expedite Investigation and Prosecution Process

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has issued a directive to the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) to accelerate its investigation and prosecution processes regarding complaints lodged at the anti-graft constitutional body. Expressing concern over the sluggish pace of case filing, the parliamentary oversight committee emphasized the need for prompt action to address illegal financial activities.

During the PAC’s meeting on Tuesday, discussions centered on the implementation status of previous directives issued to the CIAA. Committee members raised questions regarding the agency’s slow response to complaints registered over the past few years, highlighting concerns about the delay in both investigation and prosecution procedures.

Following deliberations, PAC Chairperson Rishikesh Pokharel directed the CIAA to heed the committee’s directives and expedite the resolution of complaints and irregularities. “There has been procrastination in implementing the directives issued by the committee at various times. It has been decided to issue further directives from the committee to ensure that the commission promptly addresses complaints and irregularities,” stated Chairperson Pokharel.

Furthermore, the committee urged the government to facilitate legal arrangements necessary for the CIAA to obtain information from various organizations and agencies abroad during its investigations.

Chief Commissioner of the CIAA, Prem Kumar Rai, briefed the meeting on the status of implementing directives issued by the PAC. He informed the committee that the CIAA had concluded its investigation into land issues concerning the Taragaun Development Committee and had transferred the case to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation for further action.

Rai also provided updates on several high-profile cases, including the ‘wide-body’ aircraft purchase scam involving Nepal Airlines Corporation, stating that the investigation had reached its final stages. Additionally, he outlined the progress made in investigations related to the security printing press purchase scam, the Chameliya hydropower project, scientific forest management, and decisions made by the Nepal Securities Board allowing shares to be issued at premium prices.