Kathmandu- The Abuse of Authority Investigation Commission has filed a case against 5 people on the charge of corruption in the program of distributing free pads to female students of public schools.

A case has been filed in a special court against the then Chief Administrative Officer Arvind Kumar Chaudhary, Accounts Officer Shyam Sundar Yadav, teacher Shyam Prasad Yadav, Naib Subba Sujan Dahal and the proprietor of Shree Lakshmi Traders and Suppliers Lalita Kumari Shah.

In the financial year 2077/078, the rural municipality purchased sanitary pads worth Rs.17,85,928/- to be distributed free of cost to the girl students of public schools. According to the authority, according to the Public Procurement Act and regulations, the cost estimate had to be prepared based on prevailing prices. But the then Chief Administrative Officer Chaudhary and others colluded with Lalita kumari of Sri Lakshmi Traders bought sanitary pads worth 9 lakh 11 thousand 925 rupees for 17 lakh 85 thousand 928 rupees.

According to sub-section (1) of section 8 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2059, four employees including the then chief administrative officer Chaudhary have been ordered to be imprisoned and fined Rs.874,003.

In the charge sheet filed in the special court in Kathmandu, Lalitha kumari of Lakshmi Traders has also been asked to be punished like the main culprits and charged with the crime, Narahari Ghimire, spokesperson of the Authority, informed.