Nepal officials sentenced for corruption

The controversial Royal Commission for Corruption Control (RCCC) has given former premier Sher Bahadur Deuba and former minister Prakash Man Singh a jail sentence of two years and a fine of NPR 90 million (EUR 1.1 million) each. The verdict came on 26 July 2005 for alleged corruption in the Melamchi water supply case. The RCCC also convicted former secretary, Tika Dutta Niraula, executive director of Melamchi Drinking Water Project, Dhruba Bahadur Shrestha, deputy executive director of the project Dipak Kumar Jha, and contractor Jep Chhring Lama of Lama Constructions of corruption in the drinking water project.

The Water and Energy Users' Federation, Nepal (WAFED), a Kathmandu-based NGO, wants the US$ 464 million (EUR 379 million) Melamchi water supply project - funded mainly by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, the Japan government and three more foreign donors - to be stopped. WAFED, however, distanced itself from the commission. They consider it an unconstitutional body formed arbitrarily by the King after the royal coup.

Related news: Former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba arrested over Nepal water contract, Source 20 May 2005