KATHMANDU, Jan 18: A committee formed by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation submitted its report on Monday.
The ministry, as per the directives of Tourism Minister Prem Bahadur Ale, had formed a five-member committee under the coordination of Treasurer of the Pashupati Area Development Trust to carry out investigation into Nepal-India Friendship Pashupati Dharmashala.
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Although Minister Ale is the Chairperson of the Trust, Coordinator Subedi submitted the committee's report to Ministry Secretary Maheshwor Neupane as Minister Ale is in self-isolation after testing positive for the coronavirus.
The report has recommended canceling the agreement of Nepal-India Friendship Pashupati Dharmashala as the activities carried out were found against the agreement. Subedi said, "Many weaknesses and mistakes were found regarding the issue of Dharmashala. The committee determined that the activities were carried out on the basis of a setting. So it should be canceled."
Jewelry shops and vehicle showrooms have been kept at the Dharmashala and rents are being collected in an arbitrary manner, reads the report.
The Trust had given the Dharmashala on lease to Ananda Pvt Ltd (BATAS Group). The BATAS Group is accused of operating Dharmashala as a hotel and charging fees and rents in an arbitrary manner from pilgrims and religious tourists.
(RSS)
