KATHMANDU, MAY 16 -
Agitating travel trade entrepreneurs on Thursday launched a six-day ‘ relay hunger strike ’ on the premises of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) to exert pressure on the government to address their demands.
The travel trade associations started off the second phase of protest
opposing a government probe panel formed to look into charges of
financial irregularities at the NTB. They said they had demanded a
high-level commission instead of the current panel to probe alleged
irregularities.
On May 11, the Tourism Ministry formed the three-member committee to
investigate the NTB top brass who have been charged with irregularities
by amending its Financial Bylaws in contravention of the Public
Procurement Act (PPA).
Ramesh Dhamala, president of the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal,
warned of resorting to a stronger protest if their demands were not addressed in the next six days.
“We met Prime Minister Sushil Koirala on Thursday and apprised him of
our demands. He is positive towards our demand,” Dhamala said. “We will
not roll back the protest unless our demands are addressed.”
The disgruntled entrepreneurs have been demanding the removal of
officiating CEO of NTB Subash Nirola to clear the way for an early
appointment of new CEO. They have also demanded probe NTB’s income and
expenditures over the past three years, among others.
The amendment to the bylaws has handed the NTB’s chief executive
exclusive rights to spend freely in excess of the limit set by the PPA.
The bylaws also allow the board to award contracts without competitive
bidding.
As many as 35 travel trade associations from across the country are protesting NTB’s misuse of the tax money for 16 days.
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