Thursday, March 24 2005 15:50 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: Nepal's King-appointed anti-corruption Commission has summoned 21 people, mostly political leaders, in connection with the alleged embezzlement of Government funds.

The Royal Commission for Corruption Control (RCCC), formed after the February 1 takeover by King Gyanendra, will grill the 21 individuals who allegedly received cash from Prime Minister's Relief Fund as festival allowance in October last year (2004) during the tenure of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.

Earlier, the Commission had questioned six Ministers of the sacked Deuba Government in connection with the release of Rs 2.5 million from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund. They were later released on bail.

The 21 individuals received the money as festival allowance as per the recommendations of the then six Ministers, according to the State-run National News Agency.

The six were Home Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka, Agriculture Minister Homnath Dahal, Land Reform Minister Jog Meher Shrestha, Local Development Minister Yuvraj Gyawali, Information and Communication Minister Mohammad Mohsin and Forest Minister Badri Mandal. They are due to appear again before the Commission on March 31.

The RCCC is authorized to confiscate property, award jail term and levy fine if the accused is found guilty.