CIAA to investigate corruption in Pokhara Airport construction

Kathmandu, May 22: An investigation is all set to be conducted into corruption in the construction of Pokhara Airport by the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA).

After confirming irregularities and corruption worth billions of rupees in the construction of Pokhara International Airport, the House of Representatives’ Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has decided to write to the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) to investigate and take action against the guilty. 

Committee member Rajendra Kumar KC said that the meeting of the committee held today has decided to send a letter to the CIAA to conduct a necessary investigation into the issues revealed in the study report and to take stern action.

The probe panel, formed under the coordination of Rastriya Prajatantra Party Chairperson and lawmaker Rajendra Lingden, based on the complaint of irregularities in the airport construction, submitted its report identifying large-scale corruption in the project. 

The committee today directed the commission to proceed with the investigation based on the issues highlighted in the subcommittee's report.

It is stated that a letter has been sent to the Commission to conduct further study and investigation based on the report of a parliamentary subcommittee under the Public Accounts Committee on April 28, and if found guilty, to proceed with legal action, including prosecution, and to inform the committee accordingly.

The airport was officially inaugurated on January 1, 2023, but remains partially operational even 27 months after inauguration.