Anti graft body nets NOC trade union chief

The anti graft body today netted the state oil monopoly’s chief on charges of obstructing the investigation into the ‘illegal bonus’ case.

“Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) today arrested Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) Trade Union chairman Devi Prasad Neupane for obstructing investigation it had launched against the NOC officials,” informed the CIAA that has claimed that Neupane was obstructing the anti graft body’s investigation against top NOC officials, who were arrested on the charges of distributing bonus illegally.

Neupane has challenged the CIAA investigation against the acting executive director, director and managers by criticising anti-graft body’s investigation through various media. The NOC trade union has also halted the fuel distribution – making the people suffer – against the arrest of top NOC officials.

Neupane challenged the CIAA saying that he was responsible for the distribution of bonus as per the decision of the trade union and the CIAA should take him under custody, if it dares.

CIAA has also summoned former NOC executive director Digambar Jha.

Earlier, on Tuesday, the CIAA had arrested acting executive director Suresh Kumar Agrawal, director of Financial Department Nagendra Sah and managers Netra Prasad Kafle and Kamal Prasad Sharma, who had claimed  that they had distributed bonus under the pressure of the trade union.

Neupane, a senior assistant (non-gazetted, first class), has been chairman of the trade union of NOC for last 15 years and also a member of the board.