While there is a lack of funds for the treatment and quarantine management of the infected, millions are being spent on the purchase of expensive vehicles from the decoration of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, painting of the minister's quarters and construction of the gymnasium.
It has been found that the government is spending crores of rupees on construction of luxury infrastructure and purchase of expensive vehicles and furniture, mocking its own decision to cut the expenditure of all sectors except the essential ones to fight against COVID-19.
The government had circulated a circular to all ministries and agencies on April 4 to stop spending on 14 headings, including the purchase of vehicles and furniture, to raise funds for infection prevention and treatment. The government has been wasting money to fulfill the luxuries and expensive hobbies of the president, ministers and high-ranking administrative officials.
The government is spending Rs 2.5 crore on the decoration of the Rashtrapati Bhawan alone. Expensive and luxurious carpets are being laid to decorate the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Following the Corona disaster, President Vidya Bhandari returned the money allocated to the government to purchase a well-equipped electric vehicle. The government is going to decorate the Rashtrapati Bhavan at a cost of tens of millions.
The carpets in the new building, which was constructed three and a half years ago at a cost of Rs 680 million for the President, are being replaced with new ones. Less than three years have passed since the carpet was laid in the new building. "The existing carpets are not being replaced because they are old and useless, they are still in use for many years," the source said. "Expensive and attractive carpets are being kept."
A carpet reflecting Nepal's culture and originality is being laid to make the hall where the President pays courtesy calls on foreign presidents and heads of government, including distinguished guests and foreign ambassadors, attractive and grand. Home-made woolen carpets are being kept in the building.
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Contrary to the policy of not spending in unproductive areas, how much is being spent on what?
- 20 million for the decoration of the Rashtrapati Bhavan
- 4.2 million to take care of the garden of the President's Office
- 8.3 million gymkhana for ministers
- 2.8 million for the maintenance of the minister's residence
- A vehicle worth Rs 15 million to one joint secretary and Rs 5 million to another
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The Federal Secretariat Construction and Management Office under the Urban Development Department has awarded the contract to replace the carpet in the new building to Himalayan Decor Rugs Pvt. The company belongs to Ram Bahadur Gurung, a Gandaki state assembly member of the ruling CPN (Maoist). A new carpet has been replaced in the new building of the President's Office within this month, sources said.
Not only the carpets, but also the interior decoration of the Rashtrapati Bhawan is being demolished. The office has awarded a contract worth Rs 15.7 million to make the interior decoration and toilet grand. Mr. Vikoi / Indreni / Supreme JV is in charge of the interior decoration.
It has been found that the government spends Rs 4.2 million annually to take care of the garden of the President's Office. This year, Pritam Garden Construction Pvt. Ltd., Kageshwari Manahara has been awarded a contract worth Rs. 4.2 million to decorate the garden. Sources have claimed that the contract for the garden was given before the lockdown.
Spokesperson of the President's Office Keshav Ghimire claimed that he had no information about the decoration and carpeting of the Rashtrapati Bhawan. "The decoration and maintenance of the Rashtrapati Bhawan will be done by the Federal Secretariat Construction and Management Office under the Urban Development Department, not us. I have no idea what he is doing, 'he told Kantipur.
Luxury structures are being built not only for the President's Office but also for ministers in Lockdown. The government has started the process of constructing a state-of-the-art gymkhana and badminton court at the minister's residence in Lalitpur.
The Office of Construction and Management of the Federal Secretariat under the Department of Urban Development has awarded a contract to New KP Construction Pvt.
The company will build a gymkhana at a cost of Rs. 82.87 million. "Why do the ministers need a gymkhana when the government is short of funds to treat the corona infected and provide food and shelter for those in quarantine?" Officials in charge of construction are unanswered.
Even the government building where the ministers live will be made attractive by painting and maintenance. The office has awarded a contract worth Rs 2,855,900 to Devisthan Construction Services and Suppliers Company for painting and maintenance of all 19 buildings of the minister's residence. The contract was awarded on May 30. The source said, “It was not necessary to maintain the building in the minister's residence. The work is being started under the pressure of the ministers.
The government has not lagged behind in fulfilling the luxuries of not only the president and ministers, but also high-ranking administrative officials. Contrary to his own circular, he has bought expensive and luxurious vehicles for two joint secretaries. Luxury vehicles have been purchased for Rs 14.4 million for the Chief of the Shipping Office under the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport and Rs 5 million for the Joint Secretary of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General. New vehicles have been procured in both the bodies even though they are in working condition.
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