PM’s Office all set to end dual vehicle facilities to former VIPs

Kathmandu: The government has emerged tough against the trend of enjoying dual facilities from the state coffers. In this connection, the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers directed the Home Ministry to submit detailed information on the vehicles being used by the former dignitaries today itself.

The information was sought via the Home Ministry after a study conducted by the Prime Minister’s Office found that some former dignitaries were still using the vehicles more than prescribed by law or were taking dual facilities from different government bodies.

A strict direction was issued to the Home Ministry to immediately send the records of vehicles used by former dignitaries- former Presidents, former Vice Presidents, former Prime Ministers, former Chief Justices, former Speakers of the House and former Chairmen of the National Assembly. The information could be sent via email within office hours today.

Dipa Dahal, Press and Research Expert to Prime Minister Balendra Shah, informed that the government had sought details on vehicle use in a bid to prevent misuse of state funds and maintain good governance. According to her, “The directive aims at identifying the facilities enjoyed beyond the limits set by law and making the system transparent,” she reminded.

At a time when former VIPs have long faced criticism for misuse of public resources and placing a burden on the state treasury, the government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah is moving to rein in excessive benefits and systematise state-funded facilities.