Over Rs 13 crores Misused by Local Levels in Bajura

Bajura: More than Rs 13 crores has been misused across nine local levels in Bajura district. According to the 62nd report released by the Office of the Auditor General, all nine municipalities in the district committed various irregularities by making payments without submitting required documents.

The report revealed that the irregularities occurred during the fiscal year 2080/81. The municipalities were found to have made illegal payments for salaries and allowances of excess contract employees, vehicle purchases, monitoring, grants, and procurement of goods and newspapers.

Budhiganga Municipality recorded the highest irregularities, misusing Rs 33.8 million in the fiscal year 2080/81. The report states that the municipality made payments for unauthorized contract appointments, foreign trips of the mayor, and procurement of goods. Similarly, Budhinanda Municipality was found to have committed irregularities amounting to Rs 18.72 million, including payments for contract employees, secretarial staff, and purchases made through consumer committees.

The report also noted that Triveni Municipality, Badimalika Municipality, Jagannath Rural Municipality, Swamikartik Khapar Rural Municipality, Himali Rural Municipality, Khaptad Chhededaha Rural Municipality, and Gaumul Rural Municipality spent funds illegally on contract employee salaries and allowances, medical expenses, media activities, and foreign trips of elected representatives.

Due to missing financial documents, significant irregularities were found in monitoring, grant distribution, vehicle purchases, and the unauthorized appointment of contract employees. The report further stated that all nine local levels employed individuals outside approved positions and spent Rs 72.439 million on their salaries and allowances in violation of the rules.