Amid Maoist allegations that the government is bringing weapons during the time of ceasefire, a senior Cabinet member has said that the government had no idea about Nepal bound arms from the Ukraine intercepted in India.

Speaking at a programme in Palpa on Saturday, Finance Minister Dr Ram Saran Mahat said, “It is not only me, even the government is unaware of this issue.”

Stating that he learnt only through media reports about the arms-carrying plane stranded at Ahmedabad of India, the Finance Minister said, “The government is carrying out investigations as to how the weapons were brought to India.”

He further said that the government would send the weapons back if they were indeed on their way to Nepal.

Maoists have alleged the government of importing weapons even during the period of peace talks and ceasefire.

On the issue of monarchy, Mahat said the Nepali Congress does not have an unclear policy on monarchy. “The constituent assembly elections will decide the fate of the monarchy,” Mahat said.

The government is committed to reconstructing the Tansen Durbar, which was destroyed in a Maoist attack, he said.

Stating that the Maoists’ arms management is the prime agenda of the country, Dr. Mahat said, “Trade and industry will not flourish in the country until the Maoist weapons are managed.”