RPP demands information with suspected irregularities in gas production company

The Rastriya Prajatantra Party has demanded information pertaining to the project with suspected irregularities in the gas production company operating in Jhapa.

The party has demanded detailed information of all the activities being carried out there with the Kankai-Birta-Arjun Renewable Energy and Waste Management Company built at Sukedangi in Kankai-2, Jhapa with the joint investment of World Bank, local bodies and consumers.

A team of Rastriya Prajatantra Party central member Khusbu Oli and RPP Jhapa Chairman Keshav Prasad Ojha has demanded details in writing of the project with Kankai Municipal Chief Rajendra Kumar Pokharel with suspected irregularities.

The cost of the project, which started at Rs 140 million, has now reached Rs 220 million.

According to the Right to Information Act 2064, the government and public agencies must provide the information demanded by any citizen.

Pokharel is the coordinator of the project’s high-level mechanism.

“The detailed project report of the project which was finalized at Rs 140 million with 40 percent investment from the World Bank and 60 percent investment from the remaining three municipalities and local consumers, is now in a state of closure. Costs are constantly increasing. But there has been no progress,” Oli said after registering the application, adding, “Even the financial report has not been made public. Even the assembly meeting could not be held.”

Oli said that this project was started with an ambitious plan to deliver gas to every house without any pre plan and management.

She further said that there is enough room to suspect irregularities as the project is on the verge of closure.

According to her, the project has not progressed.

Saying that many people will lose their money if this project is closed, Oli said that she demanded the information as per the Right to Information Act to draw the attention of the stakeholders immediately.

Kankai, Arjundhara and Birtamod Municipalities of Jhapa established a company with an objective to produce biogas from waste in partnership with the World Bank and the private sector.

More than 750 consumers have invested from Rs 10, 000 to Rs 10 million in the plant.

“It is the right of the people to know about the progress of the project according to the investment and other aspects of it. This is why I have taken this initiative as a responsible citizen, a local and a politician,” she said.

Oli was of the opinion that the right to information will help in maintaining good governance and transparency as well as in controlling corruption.