RCCC decision on encephalitis vaccine case likely in a week

Kathmandu, Sept. 12- The investigation team of the Royal Commission for Control of Corruption (RCCC) said that the investigation into alleged irregularities, while procuring vaccines of Japanese encephalitis, was at final stage. It would decide within a week whether to prosecute those individuals involved in the alleged irregularities.According to the Commission, it had been interrogating senior officials of the Department of Health Services, accountants along with the officials of the Health Ministry in this connection. The Commission has been consulting with experts regarding the irregularities, spokesman of the Commission Prem Raj Karki said. Karki said that the process of procurement of the vaccine with the assistance amounting Rs 130 million from World Bank and DFID, should have started in Bhadra 2061 and the process should have been completed by the end of that year,but the process was not completed within the stipulated time.As per the jurisdiction of the Commission to prevent possible irregularities, it has been investigating on the case why it was delayed a long time in the procedural matter in such a serious issue, where people need immediate treatment, the sources at the Commission said.The Commission also assured that the investigation process would not affect any transactions and procurement of the Department of the Health Services.