KATHMANDU, OCT 02 - Minister for Health and Population Rajendra Mahato has come under the CIAA's scanner for allegedly distributing cash to journalists while exchanging Dashain greetings.

The anti-graft body said it would take action against Mahato if he was found to have misused state coffers.

Minister Mahato on Saturday reportedly doled out cash to over 60 journalists, especially those covering news on the Health Ministry and Madhes. The health minister had invited journalists to his official quarter in Lalitpur to exchange Dashain greetings. Each of the greeting cards contained Rs 5000 to 8,000 cash. Some journalists returned the cash immediately after they found the greeting envelop also contained cash. Worth noting is the fact that the Health Ministry tops the defiant ministries in terms of implementing CIAA directives.

"Since the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) has also urged us in writing to look into it, we will probe the issue and the minister will be booked if he is found at fault," CIAA Spokesman Ishwori Paudyal said.

The FNJ has dubbed the minister's move an attempt to bribe the media to make it act in his favour. "FNJ draws attention of the CIAA to look into the matter and initiate immediate action," FNJ Secretary Jagat Nepal stated in a press release.

http://www.ekantipur.com/2011/10/02/top-story/minister-mahato-doles-out-money-to-journos-with-greetings/341738.html