Parliamentary Investigation Committee Agreed for Cooperative Case; Final Decision Pending Top Leaders’ Approval

The task force established to draft the mandate for a parliamentary committee to investigate the misappropriation of cooperative funds has agreed to form a committee specifying the names of implicated companies. This decision was reached during an Executive Committee meeting at Singha Darbar on Saturday.

Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Padam Giri stated that while an agreement was reached in the meeting, the final decision will be made after consultations with top leaders. A crucial meeting to finalize this decision is scheduled to be held today at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar.

Agreement and Opposition

The formation of the parliamentary investigation committee comes in response to prolonged parliamentary obstruction by the main opposition party, Nepali Congress. The party has been demanding a parliamentary probe into Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Ravi Lamichhane regarding the misappropriation of cooperative funds.

Minister Giri mentioned that to resolve the parliamentary deadlock, the ruling party is prepared to name the company involved in the fund embezzlement within the investigation committee’s mandate.

Progress and Consensus

“The working group’s recent meeting has made significant progress compared to previous discussions and has reached a consensus,” Giri said. He emphasized that the final step involves a meeting with top party leaders in Baluwatar to discuss the detailed issues and bring the matter to a conclusive end.

Detailed Investigation

Discussions have focused on the importance of a comprehensive investigation into the crisis affecting cooperatives across the country, especially those highlighted in public media and parliamentary debates. The task force agreed to list the names of companies and cooperatives involved in misappropriating funds, ensuring transparency and accountability.

“The names of the embezzlers will naturally surface during the investigation of the companies,” Giri added, underscoring the need for a thorough and impartial inquiry.

Meeting with Top Leaders

The outcome of the meeting with top leaders will determine the final formation of the parliamentary investigation committee. This meeting is pivotal in addressing the demands of opposition parties and ensuring a robust mechanism to investigate and address the cooperative fund misappropriation issue.

The formation of this committee marks a critical step towards addressing financial misconduct within cooperatives and restoring public trust in the financial management of such institutions. The final decision, expected to be announced after the top leaders’ meeting, will set the course for the investigation and potential reforms in the cooperative sector.