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