Chief of CIAA Criticizes Selective Accountability and Lack of Government Compliance

Chief of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), Prem Kumar Rai, stated that the tendency to desire immunity for one's associates while demanding action against others is wrong. Speaking at a ceremony in Kathmandu marking the 35th anniversary of the CIAA, Rai said, 'It is urgently necessary to stop the tendency of wishing for no action against one's own associates while complaining that others are not being prosecuted.'

Mentioning that offenses of the same nature are repeated annually, Chief Commissioner Rai stated that the government has not implemented the suggestions provided by the CIAA. He said, 'The Commission's suggestions have not been implemented, and a tendency is seen among responsible officials to deflect their responsibilities by citing the Commission's suggestions.'

Stating that corruption cannot be controlled by the efforts of the Commission alone, Rai said, 'The control of corruption has become more challenging due to the latest trends emerging in corruption.'

He mentioned the necessity of developing skilled manpower to face changing challenges. He noted that good governance is impossible if the executive bodies of the government are not ruthless and active against corruption, saying, 'Corruption cannot be controlled by punitive measures alone; collective effort from everyone is indispensable for this.'

'Corruption can be controlled by preventing its root causes, not just its effects,' said Chief Commissioner Rai, adding, 'It is necessary to carry out nationwide preventive activities as a campaign by increasing investment.'

He stated that responsible officials evade their duties by getting decisions made through the Council of Ministers in the name of policy decisions. Rai said, 'More than 50 percent of the complaints received by the CIAA are related to local and provincial levels.'