KATHMANDU:- The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) is conducting separate investigations into three additional issues in the Pokhara Regional International Airport project, following a case already registered in the Special Court over alleged irregularities of 8.36 billion rupees.

While 55 people, including politicians and officials, are defendants in the main case, the CIAA is now probing issues related to tax exemptions, hill cutting at Chinedanda/Ritthepani, and the appointment of a consultant.

Reports from the Public Accounts Committee and the Office of the Auditor General have questioned tax exemptions of  2.224 billion rupees, 322 million rupees spent on hill cutting contrary to agreements, and the consultant’s appointment being funded from the Authority’s budget instead of the project cost.