Corruption

Corruption

Transparency International (TI)'s report of 2009 reports that corruption is getting worse in Nepal. The country is now placed at 143 out of 180 nations. Last year it was 138th.
The measurement is based mainly on transparency and impartiality of election system as The GPI reports New Zealand as the least corrupt with Somalia as the most corrupt.
In South Asia, Bhutan is reported as the least corrupt and Nepal as the most corrupt country.

Three types of corruption are identified: grandcorruption, corruption of domestic origin in the recipient countries, and corruption that is internal todonor policies and practices. It is the domestic corruption that is most difficult to tackle because of itscharacter and linkages with the various societal processes including the political process. Governancereform is a good vehicle to approach this area, but the success will depend partly on the ability of thedonors to clean up internal corruption and, more importantly, upon the will and the commitment of thepolitical leadership in recipient countries.

Like many other countries, corruption has been a big problem in Nepal. It is the major obstacle to economic and political reforms, accountability, transparency and good governance. Corruption has trickled into both private and public sectors, and into almost all walks of life. The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) is a supreme constitutional body for corruption control. It is the distinctive anti-corruption agency in South Asia. It has the role of an ombudsman, investigator and prosecutor. It carries out inquiries and investigations into corrupt and improper conduct committed by persons holding a public office. It has the authority to investigate all officials from the Prime Minister to low-ranking public servants. Based on the findings, the Commission may file a case against persons alleged to have committed corruption in the court of law. It derives its authority from the constitution. Any legislative measures to curb its power are subject to judicial review of the Supreme Court which can declare such law null and void.

Fighting corruption is difficult but not impossible. It requires a new order of incentive structures so that individuals change their behavior to think differently, show differently and act differently. There is a need for restructuring social order to establish a corruption free society in which public post holders recognize their accountability, fear the heavy costs they have to pay on conviction of corruption offences and get their rewards for being honest. People are to be educated so that with zero tolerance they can refuse to pay bribes. The proposed project finds long term solution to the corruption problem by formulating and implementing proactive plans and programs.