Army, police form panels to probe irregularities

Nepal Police and Nepal Army have formed an investigation committee each to enquire on their petrol pumps that were found providing customers with less amount of fuel than they pay for.

A joint-team of various government authorities, during a cross-checking on Monday and Tuesday, found the pumps involved in short-delivery.

On Tuesday, the joint team comprising representatives from Prime Ministers’ Office, Department of Commerce and Supply Management (DoCSM), Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology (NBSM) and Nepal Oil Corporation found anomalies in Nepal Police-run petrol pump at Naxal, and Nepal Army’s pump at Bhadrakali.

According to DoCSM, out of six distribution nozzles at the Army’s pump, one was found delivering less quantity of petroleum.

Dhundi Raj Pokharel, monitoring officer at the department, said the nozzle was dispatching 40ml, 35ml and 5ml less fuel per 10 litres of delivery in three cross-checks.

“Forming a separate committee, we have started an internal enquiry,” said Brigadier General Jagadish Chandra Pokharel, spokesperson for the Nepal Army. “Although the misappropriation was not so severe, we will bring the fact out shortly.”

Pokharel, however, declined to disclose the names of the committee members and further details.

The monitoring team has sealed the nozzle of the petrol pump.
Similarly, the joint team found Nepal Police’s pump selling 110ml less fuel in every 10-litre delivery.

According to the DoCSM, out of five nozzles, the team sealed one used for dispatching diesel and two used of dispatching petrol.

Nepal Police Spokesperson DIG Kamal Singh Bam said they have formed a five-member investigation committee to enquire the issue.
 
The committee led by SSP Sarvendra Khanal includes SP Narottam Lal Pradhan, among others. The committee is expected to submit a report within a week.