KATHMANDU: Chief Commissioner of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), Prem Kumar Rai, has asserted that the support and activeness of all are required to translate the policy of zero tolerance against corruption into reality and develop a system of integrity.

Addressing the program organized on the occasion of the 33rd establishment day of CIAA here today, he said CIAA has been playing an active role in checking corruption and promoting good governance in the nation.

Noting that there is widespread public complaint that the country’s good governance situation has not improved as expected, the CIAA Chief stressed the need for all to work actively and responsibly for the same.

“The fight against corruption is not that of CIAA alone; there is a need for collective efforts as it is a multi-dimensional topic. Every citizen should be an activist for the establishment of good governance,” reiterated the CIAA Chief Commissioner.

According to him, a significant number of complaints related to misuse of public assets in development and construction works, budget appropriation, subsidy distribution, service delivery, among other works, to giving and taking of bribes and inducements, to carrying out works with the ill intention of taking illegal benefits and amassing illegal assets at all three tiers of the government are lodged with the CIAA after the implementation of federalism until the present.

The CIAA Chief stated that transparency is not seen in public procurement and constructions, and the appropriate standards of natural resources are not followed while formulating the budget and programs.

He called on the responsible bodies and office-bearers to become extra responsible when it comes to fulfilling their legal responsibilities in protecting and conserving public property, saying misuse of public land has increased, and the tendency of selling government land for personal purposes was also found.

Chief Commissioner Rai said the CIAA is moving ahead with seriousness towards expanding its investigation jurisdiction and making its works more vigorous in its investigations related to the quality of infrastructures in view of the growing public complaints of misappropriations in this sector.

He stressed the need to immediately put an end to the anomalies and aberrations seen in public entities and to promote good governance in the country to increase citizens’ faith in the government.

As he said the CIAA will move ahead strongly to bring those involved in illegal activities into the ambit of legal action.

Reminding that it would be difficult to achieve the expected success in corruption control until the political officials in the executive role in all three tiers of the government, the civil servants, and the general public realize their responsibility in that connection, the CIAA Chief called upon all to contribute from their respective places in the national campaign of corruption control.

The CIAA marked its 33rd establishment day today around the theme- ‘Let Us Improve Mindset, Culture and Attitude: Corruption Will Come Under Control’.

President Ramchandra Paudel, Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Chief Justice Bishowambhar Prasad Shrestha, Speaker of the House of Representatives Devraj Ghimire, National Assembly Chair Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, Deputy Prime Minister, lawmakers, government high officials, among others, were present on the occasion.

At the program, President Paudel launched the CIAA Souvenir-2080.

Journalists belonging to various media were presented with a cash award of Rs 20,000 each and a letter of commendation in recognition of their contribution to corruption control and the promotion of good governance through news dissemination.

The honored journalists are Matrika Dahal of Kantipur daily, Jaya Kumar Mishra (Anuragi) of Lokantaar.com, Subash Gotame of Ratopati.com, and freelance journalist Sudarshan Acharya.

Similarly, the CIAA honored Rajesh Kumar Das, Deputy Superintendent of Police Prakash Budhathoki, and deputy attorney Niranjan Sthapit with the Outstanding Investigator and Outstanding CIAA Service Award carrying Rs 35,000 and a copper plaque.

The constitutional ombudsman body, CIAA, has been adopting a control and promotional strategy, in addition to preventive measures for corruption control and the promotion of a culture of integrity.

It has been conducting awareness programs against corruption, in collaboration with the three-tier government, the civil society, public organizations, schools, and the media.