Kathmandu, July 21
The Nai Prakashan, a literary organisation in Kathmandu, on Wednesday handed over a document to CPN-Maoist Centre Chairman and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal informing that the organisation decided to award him with the ‘Satabdi Padak’ and ‘Trimurti Samman’. Dahal happily gladly welcomed the delegation to his house and posed for a photograph with them.
But, his secretariat issued a statement the very next day saying Dahal decided not to receive the awards.
Why?
A member at the secretariat says the former PM decided not to accept the awards owing to controversial image of the organisation. Literary and academic personalities close to the Maoist party had advised him to ditch the awards.
The Prakashan was established around 22 years ago by writer Narendra Raj Prasain and his wife Indira. The couple established Trimurti Niketan after nine years. Both the organisations have been carrying out various activities in the field of Nepali literature.
But, government records show that the organisations have been begging and receiving huge sums of grants from the government every year and spending the same money to honour people who led the government.
Dahal-led government in 2008-09 had provided a grant of Rs 1 million to the Prakashan. A source says the organisation wanted to honour Dahal as a form of reciprocation to the same support.
The Prasain couple was close to King Gyanendra Shah during his tenure. The family also has close connections with Lok Man Singh Karki, who was removed by the Supreme Court from the position of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority some months ago.
Meanwhile, the organisation’s founder Narendra Raj Prasain denied the charge and said he would take retirement from public life if it was proved that he exchanged awards for money.
He claimed the organisation had decided to award Dahal recognising the government’s contribution to Nepali art and literature during his premiership.
