Nepal PM remains tight-lipped on aircraft deal despite criticism from opposition

Nepal's Prime Minister KP Oli who on Sunday was expected to apprise the Parliament about issues relating to alleged misuse of funds to purchase two aircrafts for the national flag carrier, Nepal Airlines, remained tight-lipped despite criticism from the opposition.

A parliamentary sub-committee revealed last week that Rs 4.37 billion has been misappropriated while purchasing two airbuses for Nepal Airlines. The committee also recommended action against Tourism Minister Ravindra Adhikary, Tourism Secretary and Managing Director of the airlines Sugat Ratna Kansakar and two former ministers.

During his one hour address to the Parliament, Oli sidestepped queries on the aircraft deal posed by the opposition and instead briefed the House on his government's work in the first five months of the current fiscal and the present scenario of economic indicators.

He said revenue collection has gone up by 32 per cent, while capital expenditure grew by 25.3 per cent with inflation standing at 3.7 per cent in the first five months of the current fiscal.

Oli further said the government received foreign assistance of Rs 162 billion, and the trade loss was down by 1.5 per cent during his 10-month rule.

Lawmakers from the main opposition, Nepali Congress, later obstruct the House proceedings after they were denied by Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara to pose questions to the prime minister about the aircraft deal and other controversial issues.

The Speaker adjourned the Parliament till Wednesday.