Kathmandu: The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has deployed a staff of Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) to investigate irregularities in the company. However, KUKL staffs told that a staff who is on deputation from the same organization cannot investigate irregularities made during his own tenure. The staffs have opposed to the appointment of former legal officer at the KUKL Hemraj Bhattarai as the investigation officer.

A staff told that the CIAA has sent Bhattrai for investigation after it received many complains on irregularities in KUKL. “But, the appointment of a former KUKL staff as investigation officer will lead to additional irregularities,” he added. “Appointment of a former KUKL staff will further increase irregularities. This is a decision taken by the CIAA as per some prejudice against the welfare of KUKL,” he said. The staffs told that the former staff visiting the company for investigation can hide his own wrong doings and the investigation will not be fair.
But, Chief Commissioner of the CIAA Lalit Bahadur Limbu told that the Bhattarai has been sent as an expert of the concerned area and he can investigate the organization better. “We have sent Bhattarai for monitoring as he knows about water supply systems,” said Limbu, adding, “If there are irregularities, there will be strong investigation.”
Bhattarai, who was working in Nepal Water Supply Corporation, joined KUKL after its formation. Later, he again moved on to NWSC and was deputed to CIAA for some time. According to sources, many irregularities were since the time he was a staff. According to NWSC Rules and Regulations, an officer level staff cannot join any staff union but he is the senior vice-president of Maoist Union. He still resides in KUKL quarters in Balkumari whereas he had to leave the quarters after he joined NWSC again. KUKL staffs are irritated with this decision of CIAA but Managing Director at KUKL Rudra Gautam has no comments to the CIAA’s decision. “We cannot utter a word on this matter,” Gautam said.
Complaints have been filed at CIAA about the irregularities in water supply from the Bode Treatment Plant of the company. The investigation was started after the CIAA got information of involvement of chiefs of the company, branch office and distribution section for making unequal distribution of water through its different branches and supplying water in different areas after collecting money illegally.

Source: Kantipur, October 27, 2009