As Covid-19 continues to spread, a section of unscrupulous authorities and people’s representatives of the Balimalika Municipality of Bajura are off to satisfying their gluttony despite instruction from the Ministry of Finance that no irregularity will be accepted. 

Nimendra Shahi: Centre for Investigative Journalism-Nepal

Gache Chadara working as a blacksmith to make tools used in agriculture for his landlord.

For Bindra Rawal of Kothyari in Bajura’s Badimalika Municipality-8, the relief supplies she received from the ward authorities on April 12, 2020 was ‘too little too late’ as the quantity was insufficient considering her family members.  

She was aware of the fact that the relief supplies were meant for deprived and needy people like her who were affected by the nationwide lockdown imposed to stem the spread of coronavirus, and that they should get their allocations. 

An enthusiastic Bindra, who reached the ward office with high hopes of receiving sufficient foodstuff for at least a couple of days to feed her 13-member family, returned with disappointment.

“I was nailed on that quantity–30 kgs rice, some lentils and oil–that I would be receiving would be sufficient to feed my family for a couple of days. Unfortunately, the quantity that I received from the ward office was hardly enough for two meals,” a duped Bindra complained. “You know what, despite receiving 5 kgs of rice, I was made to put my signature on the document of receiving 30 kgs.”

The story of Dal Sanai of Sanaibada, Badimalika-9, too, is no different. Sanai, too, reached the ward office with high hopes of getting a sufficient quantity of food to feed his family of 15 members. Unfortunately, the foodstuff he received was insufficient for two meals.

“Despite signing on the document of receiving 30 kilos of rice, I received 7 kgs of rice,” he complained.

If one goes through the list prepared by the Badimalika Municipality, Sanai’s name figures on the 68th number of people receiving 30-kg rice, 3-kg lentils, 2 liters cooking oil, 2 kg salt, 2 kg sugar and four bars of soap. Nonetheless, a desperate Sanai went home with just seven kg of rice.

Son of Khudke Chadara, Jahare Chadara’s name figures in the top of the serial number of the recipients. If the record is to be believed, Jahare received 30 kg rice, three kg lentils, 2 liters edible oil, 2 kg salt, 2 kg sugar and four bars of soap. Listen to what he has to say: “I received 7 kg rice, 1 kg lentils, and a packet of salt.” 

If the record maintained by ward-9 of Badimalika is to be believed, it distributed relief items to a total of 179 families each getting 30 kg rice, three kg lentil, 2-liter cooking oil, two kg salt, two kg sugar and four soap bars. Incongruously enough, not a single family received the quantity as mentioned in the ward’s record.

The question arises: How did it happen? Upon investigation, it was found out that the local government and people’s representatives distributed less than the allocated amount of foodstuff by depriving those who need it the most. 

Going through the municipality record, it has been found that the Balimalika Municipality distributed relief items to the needy, poor, deprived, and people severely affected by the lockdown of all its 9 wards. 

But inharmoniously enough, the bill and the receipt tell different stories. For instance, a plastic water mug ( deeming it of storing 2 kg) was used to distribute rice and lentils. 

If this is to be considered, each family received a total of 30 kg in the record even though no family received more than 7 kg of rice. Interestingly, people receiving just 2 kilos of rice were made to sign on a voucher of 30 kg. 

According to the ‘Standards relating to providing relief to the laborers working in the unorganized sector and the helpless, 2020’ issued by the Ministry of Finance, each family is required to receive 30 kgs rice, 3 kgs lentil, 2 packets salt, 2-liter cooking oil, 4 units soaps and 2 kgs sugar per family based on the needs of the food. 

Unholy nexus

Such irregularities, which usually happen through an unholy nexus between the people’s representatives and employees to forge fake documents, have doubled the sufferings of the people in need as not a single person received items as per the government’s guidelines.

The guideline requires that the details of the distribution of relief items have to be consistent right from the wards to the municipality and the District Administration Office. According to the Sub clause (1) of Clause 5 of the Guidelines, every deprived or a poor family will receive 30 kg rice, 3 kg lentils, 2 liters cooking oil, two packets salt, 2 kg sugar and four soaps on the basis of necessity. However, a family with two members will get half the amount. 

Faking person for relief

Public officials and people’s representatives in Badimalika Municipality-8 of Bajura entrusted with the task of distributing relief items to deprived people have been found involved in misappropriation of the relief supplies depriving the intended beneficiaries struggling during lockdown.

People from the Bhote community herding sheeps in Patan, Badinanda Ruralmuniciaplity in Bajura. They too have been given only 5 kgs of rice in the name of relief package distributed during Covid-19. Photos: Nimendra Shahi

With this, the poverty-stricken are deprived of the targeted benefit because of which the true objectives of the government’s guidelines remain unattained. 

For example, the names of Parbati Rawal and Nanda Rawal of Kothyari, Badimalika-8 figure in the list of the recipients of the relief supplies. Unfortunately, none of them have received the allocated quantity of foodstuff barring a packet of salt, 5 kg sugar, and a soap bar. Says Parbati, “This, in fact, is shocking as to who received the supplies in our names. This has to be investigated, and culprits brought to book.”

Parbati and Nanda are not alone. As many as 159 people receiving 5 kg rice, a packet of salt and soap, have been shown to have received total relief supplies in the documents. Astonishingly, a person currently staying in Tanahun, too, has figured in the list of those receiving relief material in Bajura district. If the details in the record are to be considered, Pabindra Shahi, who is currently in Tanahun working as a coordinator of Myagdi Rural Municipality employment, has received 15-kilo rice in Bajura.   

A bewildered Shahi says, “Is that true? I am shocked at the way the municipality has enlisted my name of persons receiving relief items in Bajura,” Shahi said from Tanahun adding, “Forget about receiving relief items, I can manage relief for people in need.”

Shahi lambasted the authorities for engaging in irregularities while distributing relief supplies. “These authorities have to be brought to book,” he said.

Nande Damai of Majhigaon in Badimalika Municipality-2, who has a family of 8 members, too, is not spared. The record at the municipality shows he has received the total quantity of food items as mentioned in the guidelines. Sadly, however, he received 10 kg of rice, one kg salt, and one-liter cooking oil.

Dhauli Sau of Badimalika Municipality-2, too, received the same quantity of items. Likewise, Salyan’s Ram Bahadur Karki, who was supposed to get half the quantity of the relief items received 8-kilo rice, 1 kg lentils, one kg salt, and one-liter oil.

Rangi Damai of Majhigaon in Badimalika-2 has a family of nine members. If the government guidelines were to be followed, he was supposed to receive the full quantity of relief supplies. In reality, he received only 20 kg of rice, 1 kg lentils, 1 kg sugar and 1-liter cooking oil. 

Similarly, Dhamkane’s Bude Dhami, who has a family of 8 members, received 10-kg rice, 1 kg lentil, 1 kg salt and 1-liter cooking oil. Likewise, Dhamkane’s Ange Rokaya, who has a family of 12 members, too, received 19-kg rice, 2-kg lentils, 2-kg salt, and 2 liters of cooking oil. 

Rokaya, in fact, was entitled to get the total quantity of relief materials as per the government guidelines. Moreover, the wards are required to publicize details of the relief distribution every week as per the guidelines. Naturally, the ward authorities have dilly-dallied to publicize the details.

Even Haliyas have not been spared

The Haliya system, which had remained as a remnant of slavery, particularly in the country’s far-west hills, was abolished some 12 years ago in September 2008. The government had then canceled the debts of the bonded laborers of the system – an agricultural bonded labor practice of working to pay off the debts of the landlords.

The government then earmarked a huge amount of budget to manage the freed Haliyas (bonded laborers) in 2008 after declaring them as ‘freed-Haliyas’. Despite this, with no source of income, the lifestyle of the Haliyas has not changed as they are compelled to struggle for their survival even now. The Haliyas, being the worst-affected by the ongoing lockdown, too, are victimized in the distribution of relief items. 

Ward Chairman Prakash Rawal of Badimalika-9 distributing relief items to people of the Bhote community.

The people of the former-Haliya settlement in Ukhadi of Badimalika-9 are still deprived of state benefits and facilities. The municipality has been biased while distributing relief items to them despite the fact that the record shows they received the quantity that they were entitled to.

For instance, landless and jobless Hira Chadara, who has a family of 7 members, used to work  at her landlord’s fields. She was rendered jobless as soon as the government declared them as freed-Haliyas. Before the lockdown, she was making some earnings by carrying sand from the riverbed to the market area. The news that the municipality was distributing relief materials to underprivileged people came as a comfort to her as it would suffice her family for a couple of days. But upon receiving the supplies, her dreams were shattered. “I received 7 kg of rice, one packet cooking oil, and half-a-kilo lentils. When I asked what I should do with less rice, they (authorities) rebuked me instead,” she said.

Shockingly, the official record shows Hira receiving the full quantity of relief items. “Despite getting so little food-stuff, we were compelled to sign on the list of receiving total quantity. For how long are we going to be treated like this?” she exclaimed.

Bimala Biswokarma’s story is no different. “They called me to the ward office for relief materials, and gave us 7 kg rice, one packet oil, and half-a-kilo-salt,” she said, adding, “We were disappointed to receive so less.”

Likewise, the record maintained by the municipality shows Gache Luhar of Ukahdi has received 30 kg rice, 3 kg lentils, 2 liters cooking oil, 2 kg salt, 2 kg sugar and 4 soaps. But Luhar denies. “This is all fake. Our local leaders are involved in misappropriation of the relief items intended for deprived people like us. Stern action should be taken against these leaders.” 

Similarly, Saure Luhar’s complaint is no different. “When we approached the local authorities to understand the reason for not distributing the allocated quantity as broadcasted in the radio, they said they were compelled to do so to make sure that every single person would get the stuff.” Complaining that the local authorities snatched away the rights of the freed-Haliyas, who are undergoing tremendously hard times, he said, “They will have to pay the price.”

Upon receiving three jugs full of rice in the name of relief supplies, Mata Luhar of the same village asked the authorities: “Is this the quantity that we were supposed to get from the government?” In response, the ward authorities yelled at her saying, “This is what you get.” Surprisingly, in the record, she has received 30 kg of rice, according to Mata, who previously used to work at a stone quarry.

Bhote community, too, not spared

The Bhote community at the northern belt of Bajura,  too is victimized. Rearing cattle such as sheep, chyangra (mountain goat), yak and mule are their major source of this community, which usually remains busy the whole year as they migrate to the lowlands during winter and go to the mountainous region during summer. 

Since they are landless, farming is not their profession. Due to the lockdown, these people who actually need emergency relief have been victimized.

The name of Parbati Bhote of Bauli in the Badimalika Municipality can be seen in the 51st serial number of those receiving the materials. The record shows she has received 30 kg of rice. Says a staggered Parbati, “I received 5 kg rice, 1 kg lentils, and 1 packet salt. I have no idea about the rest of the items. I guess, they (authorities) misappropriated them as they gave me three jugs of rice.”

The story of Pasang Thapa Bhote of Bauli village is no different. “The rice I received from them didn’t even last three days. We are rendered workless. We are facing hard times now.”

Haliya Basti (village) in Ukahdi of Badimalika-9.

Moreover, they are worried as they have not been able to feed their animals, particularly the mules, which have remained idle due to the lockdown.

Bauli’s Tani Thapa complains that the relief materials did not suffice for two days. “When we haven’t received sufficient salt and other food items how can we feed our animals, especially the mules?” she asked, adding, “Feeding our animals has been a herculean task for us.”

The municipality has violated the Ministry of Finance’s guidelines by deceiving the people. The record maintained by the Badimalika Municipality, however, shows that they distributed food items to 1,777 households.

According to the record maintained by the municipality, it distributed rice worth Rs 13,77,993; salt worth Rs 19,629; lentils worth Rs 3,69,850; and cooking oil worth Rs 2,69,705.

Likewise, they distributed soap worth Rs 1,85,150; masks worth Rs 1,57,400; plastic worth Rs 1,750; and transportation cost Rs 1,29,500. Likewise, Rs 38,515 has been spent on tea during distribution of relief materials, Rs 1,013,00 on vehicle fare, Rs 724385 on sanitation, and Rs 12,32,500 on distribution of money to the deprived ones.

Badimalika Municipality’s Parbati Pandit’s name is in the 137th number in the list of the recipients of the relief materials. She received 8 kg rice, 1 packet salt, one packet cooking oil, and a soap whereas Prabhate Karki of the same municipality-2 received 20 kg rice. 

Likewise, Phapu Bista of Badimalika-3 received 20 kg rice, 1 kg lentils, 1 packet salt, one packet cooking oil, and one soap. Similarly, Paar Bhandari of Badimalika-4 received 10 kg rice, 1 kg lentils, 1 kg salt, and a soap. Yet, in the record, they have been asked to put their signatures saying that they received the allocated amount of relief items.

Jay Bahadur Saund of Badimalika-5 received 10 kg rice, 1 kg lentils, 1 packet of cooking oil, and 1 kg salt. Ramesh Bahadur Saund received 10 kg rice, 1 kg lentils, 1 packet salt, 1 packet cooking oil and two soaps.

The Badimalika Municipality has flouted the government’s guidelines while distributing the relief supplies in all its 9 wards. Yet, those receiving the relief materials have been asked to sign the voucher and the record that proves they have received the total quantity of items as specified by the government. Deputy Mayor Kabita Bista expressed ignorance about the claims that people did not receive the quantified relief items. “I was not involved in relief distribution anywhere. The Mayor and ward chair should be knowing about this,” she said.

Says Mayor Padam Baduwal, “A relief distribution committee involving representatives of all political parties has been constituted under the coordination of ward chair. The Municipality has sent the specified amount to the wards. Maybe, the relief items were distributed in less quantity to ensure that nobody is left out.”

The misappropriation in the distribution of relief materials in Bajura district has been widely criticized. A central member of the NGO Federation of Nepal, Kashi Biswokarma says, “The guidelines have not been followed while distributing the relief items here in the district. Even though water jugs have been used to measure the quantity of the rice, people have been asked to sign on the vouchers for mentioning that they have received the quantified amount of rice, i.e. 30 kg. This is a blatant violation of the government guidelines and financial irregularities. Those involved need to be punished.” 

Consider what Gagan Rawal, who lost in the Badimalika Municipality election representing Nepal Communist Party has to say, “People’s representatives involved in misappropriation are reprehensible. They do not have the right to do so. Moreover, making people sign on documents with fake figures is corruption.” He sought action against those involved in misappropriation.

Plot to conceal misappropriation 

A meeting of the Municipal Executive (meeting number 46, decision no 3), meanwhile, approved the expenditure claiming that the relief distribution concurred with the guidelines set by the government.

The decision made by the meeting reads thus: “The efforts to control the spread of the coronavirus initiated by the municipality has been satisfactory…relief packages have been distributed to 2,282 households, particularly daily-wage laborers, poor and the deprived ones. A total of Rs 40,46,911 has been spent in the efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic.”  

According to Yagya Raj Aryal, Chief Executive Officer of Badimalika Municipality, “I am unaware of all this since I was not involved in preparing the document. We released the amount on the basis of the documentation sent to us by the ward.”

Chairman of Badimalika Municipality-8, Prakash Rawal, however, denied the allegations that they were discriminatory while distributing the relief items. “I disagree with those baseless allegations.”

Chairman of ward-9 Binod Kumar BK says, “The number of people receiving the relief amount exceeded as per our pre-estimation. We had to ensure that the amount allocated by the municipality was enough to distribute the materials. We distributed only 7 kg of rice to each family as we had a limited quantity of rice. Reports that some families received 30 kg of rice is baseless.”