FNCCI urges for Pandey’s release

KATHMANDU, APR 01

The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) on Tuesday urged the government to release its President Pradeep Jung Pandey, who was arrested for not fulfilling his jail term over corruption case during the Panchayat era, in a “dignified manner”.

It is the first official reaction from the country’s apex business body to the Pandey’s arrest on March 17. An executive committee member, associated with the rival faction during the heavily-politicised FNCCI executive committee election last year, however, told the Post that the decision to urge the government for Pandey’s release was made under pressure from Pandey supporters. “Since Pandey was arrested on the court order, the FNCCI should not have asked the government to free him,” the member said.

FNCCI Officiating President Pashupati Murarka said that the official statement, demanding Pandey’s release was issued in line with the decision of the the FNCCI commodity and district/municipal councils. “Further decisions will be made at the executive committee meeting on April 10,” said Murarka, who is standing in as officiating president since Pandey’s arrest.

The issue of three-decade-old corruption case had surfaced during the FNCCI executive committee election last year, with Pandey’s rival faction insisting that the federation’s statute bars anybody charged with criminal offence from contesting for presidency. The federation has remained fractured since, with several executive committee members boycotting a number of meetings and accusing each other in public.

Earlier, the SC had instructed the Kathmadu District Court not to issue the arrest warrant against him, stating that there had been confusion whether the case was settled.

 In June 1982, Patan Court had convicted Pandey, who was working as accountant at the state-owned Water Supply Cooperation at the time, on corruption charge. He was slapped him with three-year jail term and a fine of Rs 5,000. Pandey claimed that the case had already been settled as he was pardoned through a royal decree. “The decision to send Pandey to prison in a 32-year-old case has distressed the country’s private sector,” the FNCCI said in a statement. “We urge the government and concerned authorities to release Pandey in a dignified manner and help the private sector continue in uplifting the country’s economy and expand businesses.”

Meanwhile, the former FNCCI presidents have taken initiative to elect a new president unanimously to complete Pandey’s remaining term. As per the FNCCI statute, fresh election should be held within six months if the president cannot serve a full term.

Source: The Kathmandu Post