Lahan Municipality spent a shocking Rs. 5.05 crore just on fuel in the fiscal year 2079/80. This huge expense has now triggered a serious investigation by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), suspecting major irregularities.
Leaders Accused of Breaking Rules
Mayor Mahesh Prasad Chaudhary and Deputy Mayor Ramchalitar Mahato are under fire for allegedly spending public funds against legal procedures. Sources claim that fuel was distributed based on verbal orders without proper documentation.
How Was the Fuel Used?
Out of the total:
- Rs. 1.58 crore was for officials,
- Rs. 50 lakh for office use,
- Rs. 1 crore for sanitation,
- Rs. 97.24 lakh for miscellaneous projects.
This included fuel for motorcycles, scooters, tractors, loaders, water tankers, and even fire trucks and municipal buses. The use extended to road maintenance, cleaning, river diversion, and Chhath festival site preparations.
Fuel for All – Even Private Vehicles
Records show that fuel was also given to local people, journalists, organizations, and security bodies. Some employees used fuel for private travel and visits, all without following the legal process outlined in the Local Government Operation Act, 2074.
No Proper Process Followed
The law requires a formal fuel request form, approved logs, and vouchers. But most payments were made without these documents. Even worse, the same task received double payments — once for the work, and again for the fuel, according to sources.
Mayor Denies Wrongdoing
Mayor Chaudhary insists the fuel distribution was based on past practice. He claims that every ward needed fuel for sanitation and construction work, so the expense was necessary. “We didn’t spend Rs. 5 crore, and everything was done legally,” he said.
Deputy Mayor Distances Himself
Deputy Mayor Mahato claimed he did not authorize any fuel distribution and that the mayor acted alone. However, the CIAA has already taken statements from both.
Investigation Reveals Multiple Irregularities
CIAA investigators confirmed that Rs. 5 crore was indeed spent and that multiple laws were violated. Fuel was handed out freely, records were incomplete, and several payments were duplicated. Officials, including former chief administrative officers and account officers, have been linked to the misuse.
