Outgoing Minister Kumar Inam Slams Own Performance, Alleges Corruption in Urban Development Ministry

Kathmandu. Kumar Inam has departed from the Ministry of Urban Development a week before the formation of the new government. Minister Inam bid farewell to the ministry on Thursday while holding discussions with senior officials of the ministry and heads of related departments and agencies.

Usually, farewell programs involve discussing past achievements and thanking each other for cooperation. Shortcomings and disagreements are forgotten.

However, Minister Inam's farewell was not like that. Inam called himself the most unsuccessful minister in history and stated that he deserved to be smeared with black paint. He also sharply criticized the work style of employees, from the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance to the Urban Development Ministry.

• 'I Proved to be the Most Unsuccessful and Worthless Minister in History'

Minister Inam began his address with self-criticism. He labeled himself a 'crippled minister'.

'I couldn't accomplish anything. They should have just smeared me with black paint and kicked me out,' he told the employees present at the farewell program, 'I feel a sense of inferiority realizing what a worthless minister I was, unable to even release the budget for the school I studied in, a budget that was due three years ago.'

His main dissatisfaction appeared to be related to the construction of the Parliament Building. He stated that despite his repeated monitoring and instructions, work was not done, and he faced widespread non-cooperation when trying to transfer the Director General of the department. He alleged that while he insisted on sending someone based on seniority, propaganda was spread that he was trying to transfer the Director General after taking a bribe of three crore rupees.

'Why isn't the Parliament Building being completed on time? Why are deadlines constantly being extended? Why are the employees so defiant?' he asked, 'When I tried to transfer the DG, the Secretary did not agree. A few days later, rumors were spread that the Minister was trying to transfer the Director General after taking a bribe of 3 crore.'

He stated that although he had great enthusiasm when taking charge of the ministry, the working environment and system led to his failure.

• 'Urban Development Ministry is More Corrupt Than Land Ministry'

Minister Inam stated that he found the Ministry of Urban Development to be the most corrupt. Before becoming a minister, he thought the Ministry of Land Management would have more corruption, but he found the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning to be even worse.

'I used to ask the employees of the Land Management openly, 'Are you all bribe-takers?' but later I understood that the technicians in this ministry (Urban Development) engage in a lot of manipulation. Since nobody understands technical matters, it seems easier here,' he said.

He mentioned nexus with contractors, commission settings of 2 to 5 percent, and the tendency to walk around with bags at the end of the fiscal year. He claimed that variations are used as the main weapon for corruption.

• Allegation of Ministry of Finance Showing Dictatorial Behavior

Minister Inam also stated that during his tenure, he learned how the Ministry of Finance exerts dominance over other ministries.

'The Ministry of Finance has a lot of dominance. They do whatever they want, make whatever rules they like,' Inam said, 'After coming to the ministry, every minister has their own vision and dreams. The Ministry of Finance stops them from realizing those dreams.'

He claimed that due to the Ministry of Finance, many decisions could not be implemented during his tenure, and he faced difficulties in budget allocation. He stated that ministries should be allowed to work independently and the monopoly of the Ministry of Finance should end.

He also accused the Election Commission of showing dictatorial tendencies and stopping every work in the name of the election code of conduct.

• 'I Lost, You All Go Celebrate'

He described himself as defeated, saying he could not accomplish any work after taking charge of the ministry. He even suggested that the employees who did not cooperate with him should go celebrate.

'Okay, I lost, you all won. You celebrate, go have a feast,' he said, 'But one day, the misdeeds you have done might become the most painful moment of your lives.'