Karnali Province Chief Urges Stronger Role from Anti-Graft Body to Combat Corruption

Karnali Province Chief Yagya Raj Joshi has stated that bodies with authority need to play a greater role in improving the state of corruption in Nepal.

‘Good Governance and Prosperity are the Rights of Citizens, Let Everyone Be Responsible in Controlling Corruption,’ he said during the 35th anniversary ceremony of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) office in Surkhet, organized by the CIAA office in Birendranagar on Wednesday under this slogan.

Province Chief Joshi commented that the Commission, established with the objective of eradicating corruption, has failed to make significant strides, noting that the index showing the country moving backward rather than forward indicates a worrying situation for the nation.

He stated, "Neighboring country Bhutan appears to have succeeded in preventing 71 percent of corruption, but Nepal's situation is discouraging. There are complaints that the controlling bodies are not functioning effectively. Elected representatives and employees must play a major role in controlling corruption in this regard."

Karnali Province Chief Secretary Birendra Kumar Yadav stated that the Commission alone is not sufficient for good governance and corruption control in the country, emphasizing that the responsibility of politicians, employees, and citizens is equally important for this endeavor. He directed all employees working in Karnali, including provincial secretaries, to work towards improving expenditure alongside progress.

Shri Ram Thakur, Chief of the CIAA's Surkhet office, said that the tendency to allocate budgets without adequate study has also allowed malpractices to flourish. He stated, "Our view is that in the coming days, the main role in controlling corruption and maintaining good governance must come from the concerned bodies, and the Commission's role should be secondary. It seems everyone needs to take this matter seriously."

On the occasion of the anniversary, Research Officers Dharma Raj Budha and Janak Lal Chaudhary from the CIAA Surkhet office were awarded the ‘CIAA Investigation Service Award’ for outstanding performance. Similarly, students Reshmi Kumari Khadka from Shree Janaseva Secondary School in Birendranagar, Surkhet, Rekha Kathayat from Nepal Rastriya Secondary School, Gagretal, and Kushal Upadhyay from Shree Tripura Secondary School, Dhodekhali, who secured first, second, and third positions, respectively, in the essay competition on the topic of ‘The Role of Citizens in Corruption Control and Promotion of Good Governance,’ were also felicitated."