Corruption Control
Strong Measures Essential

By Laxmi Bahadur Vaidya

THE problem of corruption in government, mostly in the form of unethical use of public authority for personal and private gain, is always grave. Its overall impact on the efficacy of public management, particularly on the socio-economic development has become dangerous.

Nature

The problems of corruption are multi-disciplinary in nature. Firstly it is a waste of scarce public resources, which can be used to improve the living conditions of the poor people through economic growth, equity and provisions of public services. Secondly it hits hard on the quality and ethics of administration and personal integrity of public service personnel. Thirdly the continuing distortions in behaviour through corruption affects the foundations of public management systems.

In a least developed country like Nepal the government is rife with corruption because political participation is limited to the wellborn, well-to-do and well-educated who reside and enjoy amenities in urban areas. In such an atmosphere the spirit of complicity has dominated the members of the political parties making amalgamation ignoring their ideological and other differences.This unity has developed into a tacit agreement to exploit the situation at the expenses of the majority citizens who remain outside the public life. In such a situation a culture of participation should be developed and to participate the people need capacity and resources. The greater the involvement of the people in public matters the better this responsibility will be actualised. In addition, decentralisation, open economy and competition as well as deregulatory measures are also essential. Transparency in all areas of government practice is the most effective instrument to control corruption.

However, if bureaucratic corruption is not reduced and if the public is not fairly and impartially treated the officials, any organisation will increasingly become vulnerable to political instability and the process of change will also be impeded. Hence public management should be improved by encouraging openness, transparency and greater responsiveness of the administrative system to seize the opportunity of the momentous changes. Public office should work with the general interest of the public because it is a public trust, and not to fulfill the particular persons. For this purpose efforts should be made to transfer this ideal into reality.

The government must be serious and pay due attention to this malady. In this context ‘ a strong and sincere effort’ is needed on the part of government in reforming the public affairs and maintaining the standard of integrity, openness and transparency as well as in strengthening the judicial and criminal system. It is high time to improve development processes and procedures. At the same time alternative ways and moans should be developed to accelerate the process of development and improvement in strengthening the institutional management.

To mitigate corruption in the country a political, administrative and socio-economic environment must be created in which public and civil services can operate without any interference. Corruption causes various and serious implications in a society. The implications of corruption are not just the loss of revenue and the misallocation of public runds, but also the problem of securing the loyalty and service of noncorrupt bureaucrats. Bad governance and poverty are inevitable consequences of corruption practices. Besides political instability, underpaid civil servants and unresponsive state institutions are compounded by rising poverty and unemployment. Political violence, increasing military expenditures and massive debt burdens are also major problems. All these factors restrict the capacity of government to institute the meaningful institutional reforms necessary for economic development and reducing corruption. However, media and public pressure, collective citizen action and the consolidation of the democratic institutions could contribute much to anti-corruption drive. To eliminate corruption punitive action alone is not sufficient, it must be sustained with long-term solutions.

In combating corruption recently His Majesty the King has constituted a three member high-level independent Judicial Commission for investigation of properties which have been amassed by the politicians and employees after the restoration of democracy. Certainly it can be regarded as a positive step towards curbing corruption which has eroded the very fabric of our society.

The commission is fully determined to demonstrate its autonomy and impartiality in all aspects of its business including in public and private sectors and resist all sorts of intervention. Although much remain to be done, the general public has expected a great deal from the high level judicial commission which will play a vital role in the corruption-related witch-hunt. Certainly, this will pave way for transparancy, good governance, responsiveness and accountability of the government towards the people.

The 21st session of the Parliament has passed four crucial bills drafted to curb corruption. The four bills relating to corruption namely are CIAA (2nd amendment) Bill 2002, Corruption Control Bill 2002, Impeachment (regulation and working procedure 2002 and special court Bill 2002). However, it is widely accepted that provisions written into the laws passed by Parliament become useful and meaningful only if they are transferred into action on the ground with honesty, sincerety and foresight.

Serious Intent

National anti-corruption measures that succeed do not stop the enactment of laws and establishment of institutions but must demonstrate serious intent through realistic and creative strategies for implementation and monitoring. Therefore, linkages must be made within and across societies both to discourage corrupt practices and to enforce anti-corrupption measures.

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