UML probe panel recommends action against Gandaki's former minister Pandey

The CPN-UML's Gandaki parliamentary committee has recommended action against former Gandaki Province health minister Laxman Bahadur Pandey and his personal secretary.

The party had investigated allegations that the two struck a deal for a bribe of 3 million rupees while granting permission to a private hospital to add beds. The recommendation is based on the report of a three-member inquiry committee coordinated by UML Gandaki parliamentary party chief whip Devaka Pahari Tripathi.

The report has been submitted to parliamentary party leader and former chief minister Khagaraj Adhikari and UML Gandaki chairperson Nabaraj Sharma. According to Chief Whip Tripathi, the committee concluded that the conduct of both individuals was not in line with the dignity of their positions.

The report states that they acted against clauses 'cha' and 'nya' of Article 84 of the party statute. It also points out that they violated Article 27 of the Province Assembly Parliamentary Party Statute, 2080, and the code of conduct signed before becoming minister.