Standing ovation to CIAA
Standing ovation to CIAA
During the recent past days, Commission for
the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has been found active in
registering corruption cases against some corrupt political leaders, civil
servants and police personnel at the special court seeking appropriate
punishment for misappropriating millions of rupees. It deserves appreciation
for its effort to put criminals behind bars. This time, CIAA has filed cases
against APF’s former Inspector General Sanat Kumar Basnet and six other serving
police officers for embezzling millions of rupees by preparing and producing
false bills and receipts (“CIAA charges APF’s former IG Basnet with graft” THT,
1 March, Page 1).
Nepal has been named as one of the most
corrupt nation in the world as per the Transparency International Nepal’s (TIN)
recently published Annual Report. It will continue to slide down the corruption
index in the coming days also if the government does not make any firm
commitment to curb rampant corruption and act accordingly. The political
commitment of senior leaders on this issue is also equally important. But, it
is pity to see that the leaders themselves are directly or indirectly found to
be involved in irregularities. So far, most of them involved in huge corruption
cases are freely wondering around. In fact, it is yet to be seen whether CIAA
is bold enough to catch these high profile political leaders (so-called big
fishes).
Now,
the new constitution has been promulgated and is in the process of
implementation. In this changed context, CIAA needs to be more vigilant and
seek the people’s support to identify corrupt leaders and officials and put
them behind bars. The government should equip CIAA with appropriate human
resources and equipment in order to make it more effective and efficient. It
should be given more authority and make constitutionally autonomous body for it
to independently work without any government or political interference in the
days to come rather than clipping its wings by taking way its existing power
and authority.
Rai Biren Bangdel
Maharajgunj
