Nepal quake reconstruction authority chief faces graft probe

KATHMANDU: Nepal's newly-appointed chief of the earthquake reconstruction authority is being probed after complaints of alleged corruption in handling the spending of $4.1 billion raised after the massive tremors that killed nearly 9,000 people, an official said today.

Sushil Gyewali, who was appointed chief of the National Reconstruction Authority ( NRA) three months ago, was charged with spending $4.1 billion funds raised after the quakes.

Nealy 9,000 people were killed and more than a million homes were destroyed in the last April.

The Commission for the Investigation of the Abuse of Authority had received complaints regarding Gyewali's handling of decisions in his previous job as executive director of the Town Development Fund, as well as in his current role as NRA chief, spokesman Krishna Hari Pushkar said.

"Several complaints have been filed against him accusing that he was colluding with national and international organisations in violation of the existing system and procedure," Pushkar said.

He said there were concerns over the slow pace of reconstruction and relief activities being carried out by the NRA under Gyewali.

Gyewali, is accompanying Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on an official visit to China.

Nepal government is being strongly criticised fror the delays in the reconstruction of quake-ravaged areas and for delays in disbursing the aid pledged by donors.