KATHMANDU: A meeting of the top leaders of major political parties held at the Prime Minister's residence, Baluwatar, on Saturday discussed finalizing the terms of reference of the parliamentary probe committee on irregularities of cooperatives.    
The meeting agreed that the top leaders would forge consensus on the formation of parliamentary committee on the misappropriation and embezzlement of cooperatives funds.    
Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Padam Giri informed that the taskforce comprising representatives of major political parties has come closer to consensus to end the deadlock in both the Houses of the federal parliament.    
Talking to media persons, he said, "We have yet to agree to the final point to give an outlet to the current stalemate. We are comprehensively presenting the discussions held in the taskforce meeting before the top leaders. The meeting of the taskforce remained crucial in reaching an amicable solution to the contentious issue."    
According to Minister Giri, representatives of the main opposition, Nepali Congress, in the taskforce meeting had reiterated their demand to clearly mention the names of certain individuals and office-bearers while forming the probe committee on cooperatives irregularities.    
"We have come closer to a consensus. The meeting agreed that there is no need to mention the names of the individuals involved in the scam. Those involved in irregularities will be known after the investigation focusing on the problematic cooperatives," he said.    
The meeting agreed that the inquiry committee will focus on the names of the companies and co-operatives rather than individuals.    
"The cooperatives’ funds have been embezzled which is no doubt unlawful. Let us mention the names of the companies and cooperatives from where people's deposited funds were siphoned off. Let us put forward the probe keeping such cooperatives in the center. The meeting discussed to form a probe committee with such terms of reference," the minister briefed.    
An agreement was reached a week ago to form an inquiry committee after the main opposition Nepali Congress disrupted the House proceedings demanding the formation of a parliamentary inquiry committee into the embezzlement of cooperative funds.    
Despite the agreement, the deadlock continues as the committee's mandate has not been finalized. -- RSS