KATHMANDU: CPN-UML leader Mahesh Basnet has criticized Kulman Ghising, the Managing Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), alleging that he has amassed significant wealth through corrupt practices masked as populism. Speaking ata program in Kathmandu on Tuesday, Basnet cautioned Kulman against using popularity as a platform for political maneuvers.
"If Kulman intends to enter politics, it would be better for him to do so openly," Basnet stated.
"Leaders like Rabi Lamichhane and Balen Shah have come into the political arena and issued their challenges. It is inappropriate for Kulman to undermine the government while benefiting financially as a government employee under the pretext of serving the public."
Basnet asserted that Energy Minister Deepak Khadka has the power to remove Kulman if desired, noting, "Kulman's appointment was recently confirmed with the formation of the Electricity Commission. The government can easily revoke it, just as Prachanda did."
He characterized Kulman as someone who is "creating a corrupt image of himself based on popularity," referencing a recent ruling by the Patan High Court that deemed a contract worth Rs 2.15 billion awarded to Kulman as irregular.
Basnet claimed that since Kulman's tenure as MD began, contracts have been predominantly granted to companies associated with his family.
"There is no doubt that Kulman is fostering a corrupt reputation through his popularity. While some of our friends criticized us for this yesterday, the Patan High Court has confirmed that his contract worth Rs 2.15 billion was awarded irregularly. Since his appointment, only companies linked to his brothers have been receiving contracts," Basnet said.
He accused Kulman of centralizing contract awards among lower-level NEA officials, who are supposed to have the authority to purchase materials and oversee installation and repairs.
Basnet alleged that one of Kulman's brothers acquired a 30 percent stake in Lama Construction and subsequently won a contract for the Sanga to Banepa project, asserting that political allies, including the former Prime Minister Prachanda, paid Rs 140 million for this contract.
Basnet further alleged that Kulman registered over 35 companies to facilitate the contract process and manipulated social media and YouTube to bolster his image, contributing to an atmosphere of unchecked arrogance.
Additionally, Basnet claimed that Kulman had his associates buy land at low prices after reviewing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a transmission line, only for the NEA to later purchase the same land at inflated prices.
He alleged that Kulman has invested in 12 hardware stores, run by his brothers, and pressured hydropower companies to procure materials exclusively from these shops.
He emphasized that these allegations have been brought to the attention of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC, stating, "Kulman is exploiting the resources of the Nepali people under the guise of popularity. He is accumulating vast wealth while creating chaos. We must bring these issues to light and expose his actions."
Basnet concluded by asserting that the Lal Commission report should guide resolutions regarding the arrears of the dedicated tank line.
