Former Chief Justice Karki and Her Cabinet Depart Without Disclosing Assets

Kathmandu. Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki and the ministers who served in the government led by her have left office without making their asset declarations public following the 'Janjati' movement. Karki was appointed Prime Minister on Bhadra 27.

Prime Minister Karki held the portfolios of Defense, Communications and Information Technology, Education, Science and Technology, Youth and Sports ministries.

Similarly, the Karki government included Finance, Federal Affairs and General Administration Minister Rameshwor Prasad Khanal, Home Minister Omprakash Aryal, Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Anilkumar Sinha, Agriculture and Livestock Development, Water Supply Minister Madanprasad Pariyar, Health and Population Minister Sudha Gautam, Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation, Urban Development Minister Kumar Ingnam, Labor, Employment and Social Security Minister Rajendrasingh Bhandari, Forest and Environment, Physical Infrastructure and Transport Minister Madhavprasad Chaulagai, Women, Children and Senior Citizens Minister Shraddha Shrestha, and Foreign Minister Balananda Sharma. All of them departed without disclosing their asset details.

The provision for individuals holding public office to disclose their assets is mentioned in the Civil Service Act and the laws and regulations of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority. This provision requires asset disclosure upon assuming office and upon leaving office to prevent the misuse of government property and control corruption. However, the interim government's Prime Minister and the ministers in her cabinet did not disclose their assets according to that law.

In a democratic system, it is the primary responsibility of the government to maintain transparency while respecting the citizens' right to information.

Moreover, this government was led by a former Chief Justice, formed after the 'Janjati' movement demanding good governance, by resolving constitutional obstacles. Questions have arisen as even this government failed to disclose asset details.