–Durga Prasad Gautam
As the 113th most corrupt country out of 180, Nepal is known for its limpid corruption and is one of the most so. In the 2019 Corruption Index, Nepal scored a score of 34 out of 100, according to Transparency International, a global monitor with headquarters in Berlin. Data from the World Economic Forum, the World Bank, and other organizations are used for evaluation by Transparency International. While nations with scores that are close to 100, such as New Zealand, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland, are in front of the pack.
In Nepal, corruption has been a problem that has affected the country’s political, economic, social, and environmental growth. The visible effects of corruption include underdevelopment, inflation, and trade secrecy. There are organizations like CIAA (Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority), NVC (National Vigilance Center), DMLI (Department of Money Laundering Investigation), and Transparency International, Nepal, that work to combat abuse of power and corruption, but they do not produce any tangible results or take any overt action [3]. These organizations are frequently charged with legitimizing corrupt officials by giving them control over the very corruption programs meant to look into them.
The practice of corruption is pervasive and has ingrained itself into daily life. Only those with no political ties are penalized and efforts to combat corruption are only made on paper. This kind of behavior can endanger the survival of the country and is more hazardous than corruption itself. Although thousands of corruption cases are filed, they are never found and are merely kept as files. It appears that high profile officers and officials (the big fish) are permitted to operate freely while the anti-corruption agency is only for those without political support.
What makes it even more dangerous is that it has crept into public acceptance as corrupt politicians and officials are allowed to operate freely. In Nepal, corruption permeates every industry, and several departments are notorious for being corrupt gold mines. There is a good chance that the Health Ministry will be added to the list of ministries that are considered to be gold mines in the coming years, joining the Defense, Home, and Finance Ministries. When politicians and government leaders engage in corruption and emerge unhurt, others are inspired to do the same and unquestioningly follow their example. This has been Nepal’s depressing reality.
Even the younger generation has become victim to this long-standing culture of corruption. Politicians, ministers, and other government representatives who were meant to serve as role models for the next generation have failed horribly by portraying their respective fields as lucrative ones. Most young people today view politics and the civil service as places to earn money comfortably and without bother rather than as places to serve people. Many people think that this kind of corruption is the simplest and most secure. Today’s youth inherit corruption from their parents, just like a child who bears one of his or her parents’ genes. This might be the most fatal characteristic for any country, especially for a developing one like Nepal.
The newest Transparency International (TI) report has once again highlighted the appalling situation with regard to pervasive corruption in Nepal. The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), which ranks nations according to how well they perceive corruption, places Nepal at number 113 out of 180. This is true despite political parties’ promises in election manifestos to promote good governance and fight corruption. The fact that Nepal received a score of 34—an increase from 33 from the previous year—indicates that the level of corruption is essentially unchanged, making Nepal one of the most corrupt nations in the world. This is a severe obstacle to the nation’s progress and development, not just a question of shame. Particularly troubling is how little things have changed over time. The administration has made numerous promises and attempts to combat corruption, but nothing seems to be working. The low CPI score emphasizes the nation’s lack of political will and the absence of any accountability systems. This raises severe concerns about the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority’s (CIAA) efforts to combat widespread corruption.
In reality, corruption in Nepal has permeated every level of government and politics. People generally believe that in order to complete their tasks, they must either be willing to bribe government officials or put up with unneeded problems. All regular citizens who attend government agencies to receive even basic services have this experience. With the adoption of a three-tiered government, corruption has grown even more.In addition to seven province governments and a functioning federal government, there are 753 local municipalities. Due to a lack of sufficient personnel and other resources, the existing anti-graft authorities, including the CIAA, have utterly failed to ensure public officials are held accountable. The population’s trust in the government has drastically decreased as a result of the escalating corruption, which has an impact on every facet of life, including major infrastructure projects, the country’s legal system, and essential public services like health and education. The lack of strong political will to prevent corruption is one of the key causes of the rising corruption in the nation.
In fact, corruption among public officials in Nepal remains a major political issue. The election process itself is the main culprit here. Even though the laws governing elections forbid candidates from engaging in such extravagant spending, election costs have increased to the point that one contender now spends several million rupees. This gives political leaders incentives to commit acts of corruption in order to recoup election-related costs and maybe get ready for future elections. Politics in Nepal has also evolved from a social service to a vocation. Most politicians in Nepal, in contrast to many other western nations, do not have other sources of income. It should come as no surprise that once in power, they start participating in corruption to amass wealth adequate not only for themselves but also for their descendants. Especially in light of recent examples of chief justices’ impeachment, this trend has gotten worse since the CIAA has been rendered ineffective and officials are now appointed solely on the basis of their political devotion. This circumstance needs to end.
The pervasive corruption destroys public confidence in the government and institutions, levels the playing field for businesses, and prevents the creation of new jobs and economic progress. In addition to ensuring that opportunities and resources are distributed fairly among all citizens, fighting corruption is essential for boosting public confidence in governmental institutions and enhancing the delivery of public services. Success in reducing corruption also entails fostering political stability and economic prosperity, as these factors are crucial for attracting foreign direct investment to the nation. The moment has come for the government and all major political parties to commit to taking decisive action to eradicate corruption throughout the nation. This calls for not only starting investigations but also bringing cases to trial and handing out equitable punishments. It also entails setting up an open, accountable system that encourages morality and ethical conduct and severely sanctions corrupt individuals. Additionally, it is up to regular people to put an end to corruption. All citizens should demand responsibility and openness from the institutions they have chosen to represent them. In order to build a more equitable and just society, we must all work together to instill a culture of zero tolerance for corruption. The decisions we make now will determine Nepal’s future. It’s time for the nation to do more than merely talk about fighting corruption and securing a better future for all.
( Principal at Arya Academy High School, Nagarjun -4 , Subhakamana Tole KTM)
