ADB seeks additional info on Melamchi verdict: News from KOL Report KATHMANDU, Aug 11 - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) in a letter to the Ministry of Finance has asked it to provide detailed information on the July 26 verdict of Royal Commission for Corruption Control (RCCC) on a case regarding alleged financial irregularities in awarding the Melamchi adit access road construction contract. The bank said the information would assist them in deciding their future course of action. Michael Stevens, Director of the Integrity Division, Office of the Auditor General, ADB, Manila, also reminded the ministry that the bank?s investigation found no evidence of irregularities. Stevens has sought to know how the royal anti-graft body based its decision on details that may be unknown to ADB. The letter addressed to Bhanu Prasad Acharya, secretary at the ministry, says, ?Because RCCC has apparently reached the conclusion that there were some irregularities, we would like to know what additional information the RCCC may have that is currently unknown to ADB.? The RCCC had rejected the ADB?s report during the hearing last month saying that the reports from ?third parties" would not be entertained as evidence. ADB is the largest donor to the Melamchi project, with US$120 million in funding. The project is now facing acute shortage of funds following Norway?s pull out recently. (hb)