Public Accounts Committee Members Urge Strict Action Against Corruption to Exit International Greylist

Kathmandu. Members of the Public Accounts Committee have stated that Nepal has been placed on the international greylist due to widespread corruption and financial irregularities in the country, and that the government and parliamentary committees must be strict to get out of it.

In the committee meeting held at Singhdarbar on Tuesday, the MPs emphasized that the Public Accounts Committee should make its role more effective in maintaining financial discipline and financial good governance.

Speaking at the meeting, MP Barsaman Pun admitted that the role of the Public Accounts Committee has been relatively weak in the past. He said that the committee is often limited to discussions and must now move forward in an 'action-oriented' manner.

His suggestion is to prepare a clear agenda, set thematic priorities to increase the committee's effectiveness, and start work immediately by forming sub-committees. Pun said, 'Looking at the past roles, they appear very weak. Accepting that the Public Accounts Committee has not effectively fulfilled its responsibility to ensure financial discipline and good governance, we must now have new discussions and debates.'

Committee Chairman Bharat Bahadur Khadka mentioned that maintaining financial discipline and financial good governance is the main responsibility of the committee and pledged to move forward with this in an institutional manner. He said that assessing the financial situation is sufficient to understand the overall condition of the country, and that the committee will be more accountable and transparent in the coming days. Khadka said, 'Rising above partisanship, we must advance the issue of financial discipline institutionally. Without financial discipline, good governance cannot be felt.'

MP Khusbu Oli said that Nepal's inclusion in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) 'greylist' is a serious challenge. Mentioning that Nepal was included in that list in 2025, she claimed that financial weaknesses and lack of financial good governance are the main reasons for this.

Her statement is that the committee's activism is essential to get the country out of this humiliating list. Oli said, 'The situation is difficult now, we are on the greylist. To get out of this, let's prioritize financial reforms and financial good governance.'

MP Bikram Thapa expressed the view that the work of the Public Accounts Committee should be advanced based on information technology and the old working style should be changed. He asserted that no matter how much effort is made, the expected results will not be achieved unless protectionism, power-sharing, and impunity are ended. He demanded that everyone should make a clear commitment for this.

Similarly, former Deputy Speaker and MP Indira Rana urged the government to take strict action against corruption. She said that corruption should be prevented and those found guilty should be investigated strictly and brought to light. She emphasized the need to create a situation where victims get justice by improving the weaknesses in the system.