Kathmandu: The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has sought a 13-point clarification from the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT). The ministry has given the LDT's vice chairperson 15 days to respond to the allegations of misuse of power, arbitrary contract deals, embezzlement of funds, and poor mobilization of donations.

The ministry has asked for details on the following:

-The LDT's decisions on the distribution of plots
-The extension of deadlines with other organizations after the contract termination with Sokyo Japan
-The embezzlement of millions of rupees on the tender issuance for the construction of ponds that destroyed biological creatures on the premises of Mayadevi Temple
-The legal basis for the operation of motorboats
-The under-construction projects of the LDT
-The fund mobilization of donors' support in the past five years
-The misuse of funds from the Crane Foundation
-The ministry has said that it will take action against the LDT if it does not provide a satisfactory response to the allegations.

The LDT is a government agency responsible for the development and management of Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha. The trust has been mired in controversy in recent years, with allegations of corruption and mismanagement.

The ministry's move to seek clarification from the LDT is a sign that the government is serious about addressing the concerns about the trust's management. It remains to be seen whether the LDT will be able to provide a satisfactory response to the allegations.

In the meantime, the ministry's move has raised concerns about the future of Lumbini, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lumbini is a sacred place for Buddhists around the world, and it is important that it is managed in a transparent and accountable manner.

"The ministry has taken this step in the interest of transparency and accountability," said a ministry spokesperson. "We will not tolerate any wrongdoing at the LDT."

The LDT was established in 1979 by the government of Nepal to oversee the development and management of Lumbini. The trust has been mired in controversy in recent years, with allegations of corruption and mismanagement.

In 2019, the government of Nepal appointed a new board of directors for the LDT. The new board has been tasked with cleaning up the mess at the trust and restoring public trust in its management.

The ministry's move to seek clarification from the LDT is a positive step. It shows that the government is serious about addressing the concerns about the trust's management. However, it remains to be seen whether the LDT will be able to provide a satisfactory response to the allegations.

The future of Lumbini is at stake. The trust must be managed in a transparent and accountable manner. If the trust is not able to clean up its act, it could damage the reputation of Lumbini as a sacred place for Buddhists around the world.