In a press statement issued today in response to the recent media coverage concerning allegations on the misuse of Norwegian funding to the Himal South Asia magazine, the Royal Norwegian Embassy here in Kathmandu refuted such claims of fund misuse.

"The Royal Norwegian Embassy has not funded any anti-peace activities in Nepal. The embassy supports programs and projects aimed at fostering rural development, renewable energy, human rights, gender equality, democracy, peace and reconciliation in Nepal," stated the press release.

It insisted that all Norwegian funding is transparent and made public on the Embassy’s website and their partners are registered and have the approval of Nepal’s Social Welfare Council.

“We want to be clear that we have no reason to believe that the Embassy’s funding to the Himal South Asia magazine has been misused. However, any such allegations are serious, and requires necessary action from our side,” said Norway’s Ambassador to Nepal, Kjell Tormod  Pettersen.

Norway has been a firm, trusted supporter of Nepal’s peace process from the very beginning, and committed to support the finalisation of the new constitution, the press release reads further.

The Nepali Congress and UCPN (Maoist) lawmakers had on yesterday said that the trust, which has been granted Rs 60 million by Royal Norwegian Embassy, has misused the fund to campaign against the ongoing peace process and has misused the funds.

The lawmakers had also questioned the integrity of Kanak Mani Dixit , the executive director of South Asia Trust and the role of the donor which has funded his organisation.