KATHMANDU, July 24: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has claimed that the recent seizure of gold in a large quantity had become possible because of the provision for rewards for informants announced in the new budget.
Speaking about the 100 kg gold smuggling case at a press conference held by Nepal Press Union, Rupandehi, in Butwal on Monday, Finance Minister Mahat claimed that 100 kg of gold was successfully seized because he had announced that he would arrange rewards for informants in the budget.
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"Previously, the system of rewarding informants was removed, but this time, in order to eliminate irregularities at the customs offices, a proposal was made in the budget to reward informants. That’s why the gold was seized," Finance Minister Mahat said. He said that by going to the root of the gold smuggling incident, the truth will be brought out and the culprits will be punished.
In response to a journalist's inquiry regarding Nepali Congress leader and MP Dr Sunil Sharma’s demand for the Finance Minister’s and Home Minister’s resignation in connection with the gold smuggling case, Mahat accused Sharma of speaking falsely because he did not receive the health insurance money of his hospital.
He said that the government is determined to establish good governance by putting an end to irregularities, corruption and illegal activities and every organ of the state is working strongly.
