Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS)
Kathmandu, Oct 1:
The government has formed a four-member probe commission to investigate the gold smuggling case. The commission is led by former judge of the High Court Dilliram Acharya. Other members of the commission are Kishor Jung Karki, Premraj Joshi and Sahakul Thapa.
Today’s meeting of the Council of Ministers decided to form the commission, and the deadline for submitting the report is three months, informed the government spokesperson Rekha Sharma, also Minister for Communications and Information Technology. “The investigation commission has been formed to control illegal gold smuggling. The commission has been tasked with submitting the report with suggestions,” said the minister.
The decision to form the commission was taken following a discussion between Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and chairperson of the main opposition CPN (UML) KP Sharma Oli held in the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar today morning.
In regard with the gold smuggling case, the UML and other parties had been demanding the formation of a high-level probe commission. On 23 October, 2023, the government and political parties had agreed to set up a high level probe commission by 22 September, 2023, and the commission would start its job from the same day.
Prime Minister Dahal is scheduled to address the meeting of the House of Representatives today. On the occasion, the PM is slated to inform the House about the decision to form the commission.
Earlier this morning, PM Dahal and UML Chair Oli held a discussion. Following the discussion, the PM also discussed the matter with the ruling parties. In the meeting today, all parties representing in the HoR were present except for the Rastriya Swatantra Party.
Meeting between PM, Oli regarding formation of high-level commission positive
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and major opposition party leader, KP Sharma Oli, today sat for talks in regard with the formation of a high-level investigation commission to address the recent gold smuggling scam.
The meeting was constructive, it is said.
The Prime Minister will be addressing the House of Representatives (HoR) session today and the announcement of the formation of the Commission was likely before the session commences.
It may be noted that the Inland Revenue Department had on July 19 confiscated around 61 kilos of gold that was smuggled into the country via Tribhuvan International Airport.
According to UML whip Mahesh Bartaula, the Baluwatar meeting went positively and they were close to a consensus regarding the agenda and jurisdiction of the Commission.
Though the ruling and opposition parties earlier agreed to constitute the Commission, consensus on its agenda and jurisdictions was awaited.
The UML continues to obstruct the House following the confiscation of the gold, demanding the formation of a high-level body to deal with the gold scam.
