Attack on the defaulters:
Tip of the Iceberg only!

Naïve Nepalese were much anxious to enjoy the freedom of a democratic system during the popular movement of 1990. Their anticipation was that after the restoration of democracy they would no more be gagged and would see fairness and receive well treatment from the executive, the legislature and the bureaucracy – the very important organs of any democratic system. This of course was the holy hope that made them ready to defy the cops' bullets of the almost antique rifles. But what have they got after the much-harped on "restoration"? Disillusionment, confusion, corruption, mishandling of the system and above all legion of corrupt leaders? And nothing else. If someone wishes to differ with our write up in this column, they could do so but the onus of proving the otherwise must be shouldered by the person(s) challenging the same. After 12 years since the peoples' dream of democracy was realized, their expectations are yet to turn up.

But the breaking news on 17 August that the so-called "'humble abodes" of some of the officials from the golden egg-laying and ever controversial Finance Ministry of His Majesty's Government were raided by the "slumbering" Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority – CIAA, was certainly a hair-raising event which in essence should have happened much earlier. But, we must not forget that this is but the tip of the Iceberg lurking under the finesse of the Nepali officialdom. But the question is, is this the real tip of the latent Iceberg or just a mirage that could ultimately vanish into the thin ethereal medium! Whatever may that be but we must not forget the fact that if there has been any worth-appreciating job in democratic Nepal till now then it must have been this one singularly. If the government had listened to the urges of the conscious citizens or for that matter of the friends of Nepal, regarding controlling rampant corruption, then probably our nation would have been on the right track long before. And the other question is, will this rare positive move climb up the bureaucratic ladder and reach up to the den where monsters and dinosaurs of corruption dwell? In saying so, our hint is indeed directed towards those so-called democratic leaders and politicians of the namesake democratic Nepal, under whose blessings the men just apprehended by the CIAA operated or might be still operating. To be more specific, since the corrupt officials worked under the patronage of these leaders, the leaders too must have had their due shares of the ill-gotten wealth amassed through the practice that has ransacked the very national exchequer.

We would also like to draw the attention of the CIAA authorities to penetrate into yet another quarter that more often than not remains unnoticed. It is these illegal and unconstitutional power centers that also have been causing irreparable damage to the national exchequer since long. But yet, remains sacrosanct as the centers are not visible and hence, get a license to amass illicit wealth by managing illegal jobs done. These centers are the ones that hover around PM's residence, ministers' residence and the residence of other influential public figures. Should CIAA let these go on uninterrupted? And let them continue their illicit handling of the serious state affairs unwatched to which they are not entitled as per the laws of the land? Are not they as harmful and heinous as the dirty, dangerous, corrupt officials or for that matter the visible politicians? Is not it the time that the CIAA serve notices to these quarters to tame their hangers on? What is the guarantee that they would not hand over the secret files of the state to some inimical forces in lieu of some hefty amounts? The possibility can't be ruled out.

Better late than never, the donor community at least now could take a sigh of relief as things have started moving as per their suggestions.

But who will raid the raiders who also might have had equally controversial past? A guesswork only!

Kudos to the Commission and the daring man Mr. S. N. Upadhyaya under whose leadership the raids were successfully conducted which have well been appreciated and welcomed by men within and without. Keep it up. The whole nation is at your back.

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