PMO subsidiaries asked to work effectively to check irregularities

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Aug. 26: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has directed the concerned government agencies to work effectively in controlling smuggling, corruption and misuse of state assets. 

The agencies included the Department of Revenue Investigation, Department of Money Laundering Investigation, Public Procurement Monitoring Office, National Vigilance Centre, National Investigation Department, and Nepal Trust and other offices. 

Speaking at the annual review and ministerial level development problem solving committee meeting held on Sunday at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Prime Minister Oli recalled the incidents of smuggling up to 33 kg of gold from the Tribhuvan International Airport and mentioned that the state had lost a lot of revenue due to the lack of responsibility of the relevant agencies.

“Such activities are not allowed anymore, smuggling should not be possible. Be determined to fulfill whatever responsibility you have. If there is a problem in determining the scope of work, bring it to me. Save the country from ruins and give hope and confidence to people,” he said. 

According to the PMO, PM Oli said to the chiefs of the agencies under the Office that if their agencies cannot establish effective justification for their operation, there was no need to setup one just to employ some people. 

He clarified that those agencies were brought under the Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers so that they could work more effectively.

Emphasizing that good governance should be developed and democratic values ​​and norms should be implemented so that the youth could get jobs or have an environment to work with dignity, Prime Minister Oli urged them to be bold and determined in the journey to achieve the goals of development and prosperity. Any dillydallying won’t be tolerated anymore, said the PM. 

Chief Secretary, Leeladevi Gadtaula, said that 63 per cent of the milestones set for the PMO in the last Fiscal Year 2023/24 could be met but the capital expenditure remained pathetic at just 48.89 per cent. 

“So, we should identify the shortcomings and work effectively in the coming days,” she said. 

Prime Minister’s Economic and Development Adviser Dr. Yuba Raj Khatiwada, Vice-Chairman of the National Planning Commission, Prof. Dr. Shivraj Adhikari, and secretaries were present in the meeting.