Cabinet moves on asset probe, commission and transitional justice

At Wednesday's Cabinet meeting, the government undertook a series of administrative, legal, and investigative measures.

Government spokesperson and Minister for Education, Science and Technology as well as Youth and Sports, Susmit Pokharel, announced the decisions to the press following the cabinet meeting. Among the notable decisions, the Cabinet agreed to form a three-member committee within the security force to study and recommend how to implement the Gaurki Karki Commission report. 

It also decided to establish a high-level commission to investigate the assets of senior government officials and political office holders dating back to the 2005/06 period.

The Cabinet approved the acceptance of a grant worth one million Swiss francs from the Government of Switzerland to support the investigation of Maoist-conflict-era disappearances and advance the truth and reconciliation process.

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In another administrative move, a wide range of officials from the Inland Revenue Department, Large and Medium Taxpayer Offices, Inland Revenue Offices, and Treasury and Accounts Controller Offices have been designated as excise officers within their respective jurisdictions.

In terms of legal and financial governance, the government endorsed the third amendment to the Financial Procedures and Fiscal Responsibility Regulations, 2082. It also decided to present, for information in the House of Representatives, the previous administration-led agreement between Nepal and India on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.

Additionally, the Cabinet approved the 'National Standards for Organizational Structure and Management of Federal, Provincial, and Local Levels, 2082', which is introduced to streamline institutional structures. 

A significant step includes the formation of a commission for investigation of assets led by former Supreme Court Justice Rajendra Kumar Bhandari, tasked with collecting, verifying, and examining the asset details of high-ranking officials and political leaders who have held public office since 2005/06. The commission will be led by former Supreme Court Justice Rajendra Kumar Bhandari with members composed of former judges Purushottam Parajuli and Chandi Raj Dhakal, former Deputy Superintendent of Police Ganesh K.C., and Chartered Accountant Prakash Lamsal.

Additionally, the government has decided to form a committee under the coordination of former High Court Judge Premraj Karki to study and provide recommendations on security officials in relation to the implementation of the study report by Gauri Karki led commission.

The committee includes former Armed Police Force Additional Inspector General Subodh Adhikari and former Nepal Police Additional Inspector General Tek Prasad Rai as members.