A spokesman of the Earthquake Re0onstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) on Monday clarified an Online news item headlined “ERRA chairman gives away donors money to staff”, saying that the chairman had never approved this amount. “The issue was placed as an agenda item with the approval of the chairman to be presented to ERRA board for a final verdict,” the spokesman said, adding that Additional Secretary (Finance), members of the government and civil society are members of the board and a final decision is taken in the light of the recommendations of the board.
However, the spokesman admitted that the news item is based on a “leaked internal file” and was out of context and the matter was being investigated. “ERRA follows stringent measures for financial transparency and all such matters are presented to the board with the approval of the chairman. Though honorarium issue was added for presentation to the board, it is incorrect that the chairman distributed the honorarium,” the spokesman said.
