Punish the corrupt

The Himalayan Times

30 June 2023

Punish the corrupt

Following the promulgation of the new constitution in 2015 and the implementation of the federal structure accordingly, the level of corruption has increased at all three levels of government owing to the insincerity and immoral acts of political leaders of all the major political parties and inactive role of the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA). If the political leadership had been committed to controlling corruption as promised to the people, its level would have been definitely minimal. But this is rarely happening in the Federal Republic of Nepal, thus weakening democracy. It seems they talk loudly about corruption control before the people but try to cover up the scam by using their political power. As a result, rampant corruption is prevalent everywhere, from petty bribes to big corruption scandals.

The general perception is that all the wings of the state—government, judiciary and security agencies — are corrupt, which is pushing the nation towards political and social instabilities. The recent scam of sending non-Bhutanese refugees to USA in exchange of millions of rupees with the involvement of high-level political leaders and bureaucrats has shaken the nation. Some of the opposition and ruling lawmakers are raising their voices for intense investigation and punishing all those involved. However, looking at the country’s shady past in dealing with high-profile corruption scandals, it remains to be seen whether the other high-profile leaders, whose name were revealed, will come into the police net.

The recent arrest of five people involved in illegal transfer of the official land around Lalita Niwas to individual’s by the Central Bureau Investigation (CBI) has taken the people by surprise “Lalita Niwas scam: five more arrested” (THT, 28 June, Page 1).

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharajgunj