Corruption, whether big or small, is unpardonable: PM Oli

Kathmandu, Dec 9 : Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that corruption whether in big or small degree by anyone is unpardonable.  He stated this in his message given today on the occasion of the International Anti- Corruption Day. Stating that only a single index could not conclude that corruption has increased or decreased, he said good governance has been maintained and the tendency towards indulging in corruption has reduced to a large extent in the last two years.

The Prime Minister said the United Nations Organisation too has felt the fact that works have to be carried out with a fair conduct along with good governance to revive back to normalcy by defeating COVID-19 pandemic and reducing its adverse impact. “The present government has attached importance to corruption control and promotion of good governance since the day it was formed and it has unwavering commitment to the same. There has been a notable progress in the economic and social transformation of the country,” the PM noted in his message.

The PM’s message further reads: “Works of big development projects have moved ahead. Works of the ‘game changer projects’ that will change the face of country’s development has progressed. The public services have been made transparent, accountable and citizen-friendly by resolving the anomalies, aberrations and problems seen in the social sector. Online service has been started in the frontline bodies rendering services to the general public by using the latest information technology. Banking services have reached almost all the local levels.”

Reiterating that the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed 792 cases related to corruption in the last two fiscal years and was also investigating into around 8,000 cases at present, PM Oli has asserted the stance that anyone indulging in corruption should be brought to book.

“Prevention of corruption is our priority. The cooperation and collaboration of the government, private, non-government, community and media, among all sectors, is necessary for that. It is equally necessary to change or social values, norms, culture and attitude. Social good governance creates a pressure in favour of business and political good governance. Strengthening the public institutions and promotion of transparent and accountable work system and fair play in public procurement system are some ways of controlling corruption,” Prime Minister Oli highlighted in his message.