KATHMANDU, Nov 25: Government officials, including those from Nepal Rastra Bank, have been found queuing up in share market during office hours instead of working in their respective offices. 

National Vigilance Center (NVC) has asked various government offices to book the officials who were found waiting in stock exchange center to trade shares. 

“Not just junior-ranking officials but also top bureaucrats from vital offices were also found trading shares during office time. We have asked their heads seeking action against them,” said NVC spokesperson Bishnu Raj Lamichhane. 

NVC, a watchdog under direct supervision of the prime minister, on had conducted surprise checking at the NIDC Capital Markets Ltd on Tuesday following complaints registered at the office.  

The anti-graft body was informed that government officials in Kathmandu Valley remain absent from their offices to trade shares, compounding to the service seekers' woes. 

“We found this as a serious problem in Kathmandu. That's why the concerned offices have been asked to take action against their officials who were caught red-handed in the share market,” said Lamichhane, adding, “Let's see how would they response.” 

According to NVC, Jaya Ram Ghimire, director of the Office of the Auditor General; Danda Prasad Kharel, assistant-director at the Nepal Rastra Bank; Sanjaya Kumar Dahal of Health Ministry and Khumananda Gyawai, officer at the Ministry of Livestock were found trading shares during office time.

Similarly, Shree Prasad Gautam (Ministry of Information and Communications), Pradeep Shah (Irrigation Ministry), Sangita Luitel (Employees Provident Fund), Ramesh Maharjan (Department of Industry) and Shree Prasad Dhungana (public school teacher) were found at capital markets during office hours.  

Spokesperson Lamicchane vowed to continue surprise checking to discourage growing tendency of government officials skipping their duties for personal works.

 
• govt officials
 
• share markets
 
• office hours