KATHYMANDU, Oct 27: Following a report by the Office of Auditor General (OAG), the government has stalled Dashain allowance to be released in the name of personal assistants of all ministers of the caretaker government.
The finance section of the Prime Minister´s Office (PMO) stated that it didn´t release Dashain allowances to the assistants as the OAG put such allowances under arrears category. This step has saved the govenrment about Rs 4.1 million.
In the past, personal assistants of all ministers received Dashain allowance.
Terming the Dashain allowance taken by ministers´ assistants last year as arrears, the OAG had instructed government officials not to release the allowances this year until a law on allowances is formulated.
"We didn´t release Dashain allowances to personal assistants and secretaries of ministries as directed by the OAG," said under secretary and chief of finance section at PMO, Umakanta Acharya.
The investigation by OAG shows that Rs 1.4 million was arrears last year alone under the heading of Dashain allowances paid to ministers´ assistants.
There are altogether 295 personal assistants and secretaries working for cabinet ministers at present. Legally, one minister can appoint 7 personal secretaries. Records at the finance section of the PMO show that almost all ministers have appointed 7 personal assistants. There are 43 ministers in the caretaker government.
"Many personal assistants of ministers came and asked about Dashain allowances this year too. We however, refused to release the allowances citing the OAG directive," said an official at the PMO.
According to Acharya, they have already forwarded a draft of law on the Dashain allowance.
"We will decide further on whether to release Dashain allowance upon the enactment of law to this effect," Acharya told Republica.
http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=24622
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