Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat has said that the action taken by the anti-graft body Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) will adversely affect the ongoing financial sector reforms programme in the country.

“This case is already sub-judice now. But I think this will affect financial sector reforms adversely. It will also affect morale of employees working in this programme,” Dr. Mahat told Kantipur TV referring to the filing of case of corruption against governor of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Bijaynath Bhattarai and director Surendra Man Pradhan.

The two have been charged of having committed irregularities of Rs 24.5 million under the programme and the CIAA has filed cases against them at Special Court. While Pradhan has been arrested, Bhattarai has been mentioned as ‘avoiding arrest’ in CIAA’s charge-sheet. Both remain suspended from their position.

“We are stunned by this action,” FM Dr. Mahat added. He said that even within CIAA there were divided opinions regarding the current action.