Combating corruption takes indomitable courage, says CIAA Chief Karki

Kathmandu / December 9: Chief Commissioner of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), Lokman Singh Kakri has argued that it takes a big effort and indomitable courage to break the cobweb of corruption.

Speaking at a function organized at the CIAA’s central official at Tangal, Kathmandu today to mark the Anti-Corruption Day, Chief Karki reiterated, “The subtle jolts could not eliminate corruption, it takes bigger scale of jolt, effort and indomitable courage.” Reaffirming his commitment to fight against corruption, Karki asserted, “I am ready to face any challenges and consequences in course of battling with corruption.”

He shared a bitter truth about the section of sides who earlier hit out at CIAA asking ‘when will be the corruption at political level would be investigated?’ are now making hue and cry about the same cases. “But the CIAA will continue with its investigation irrespective of public clamor,” affirmed Karki.

On the occasion, it was shared that the anti-graft body had prioritized probing into the cases of fraud in foreign employment and preparing a unified report requiring for the relief distribution to the quake-hit persons.

Also speaking at the programme, Chief Secretary Dr Somlal Subedi said that if people are to discharge their duties unbiased, it enables them to their duties without being fearful. Chief Secretary Subedi was of the opinion that although the government takes initiation of some good actions, it will lose its relevance it those good actions do no reach public.

Stating that attitudes as evading duties, indulging in unimportant tasks and shirking duties among others had been further nourishing corruptions, he pointed out the need for additional support to strengthen CIAA to make the role of regulatory body more effective.

On the occasion, CIAA Chief Commissioner Karki announced a new service open according to which anyone could tip off about the incidents of corruption by pressing a switch of the mobile’s application. It was shared that more than Rs 5 billion was saved from being misused in the name of schools in eight districts in Terai which as the CIAA stepped up its investigation revealed that it did not exist.

Furthermore, it was also informed that the vacancy for the CIAA with the existing capacity of 212 staffers has been increased to 1,000. Of the tota 30,000 cases registered in the CIAA against government employees for various kinds of misconduct, some 5000 to 7000 were recommended for departmental action, it was told. Nepal, a signatory to the United Nations Convention against Corruption, ranks atop among the most corrupted countries. RSS