SC hearing on controversial vehicle facility procedure of NRB on February 26

By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, Feb. 19: The Supreme Court has invited the top officials of Nepal Rastra Bank for a discussion relating to a case filed against the Rastra Bank, its top officials and the Finance Ministry. The Supreme Court has invited them for February 26 for discussions.

Advocates Kumar Magar and Bharat Karki on February 6 filed a case against the Ministry of Finance, Rastra Bank and its high-level officials demanding certiorari against a procedure introduced by the Nepal Rastra Bank to increase vehicular facilities to the top NRB officials.  

The two advocates have demanded the annulment of the Management of the Motor Vehicle Facility Procedure-2078 stating that it contradicted the Clause 110 of  the Nepal Rastra Bank Act 2058.  They also argued that the Procedure was against the Public Procurement Act-2063 and was introduced with an ill intention as the NRB does not have to inform the public about such procedure.

“They have introduced the procedure with an intention of making the vehicles private after their retirement but laws do not allow them to formulate and implement such procedure,” advocate Bharat Karki told The Rising Nepal.  

The first hearing on the case was held on February 11.

The Procedure has fixed the ceiling of Rs. 18.2 million to buy a motor for the Governor while two Deputy Governors could get up to Rs. 14. 3 million each and 18 Directors Rs. 7.01 million each to purchase their vehicles.

Advocate Karki said that they and the defendants were invited to the discussions.

Only after the discussion of February 26, the SC will decide whether or not to issue any interim order in the case.