According to PMO Joint Secretary Sharad Chandra Paudel, the Prime Minister´s Office has drafted a working procedure defining the role, responsibilities and jurisdiction of such units. [break]
“Joint secretaries will command anti-corruption units,” said Paudel, adding, “Each unit will have three members, including joint secretary, under-secretary and a section officer.”
These units will be authorized to take up complaints, form probe panels and investigate into alleged irregularities and malpractices within the ministries concerned and furnish reports at the PMO for necessary action.
“The PMO can ask secretaries concerned to take departmental action against officials if anti-corruption units so recommend,” Paudel explained.
According to him, the PMO can send recommendations floated by the units to the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) if high-ranking government officials, including under secretaries, joint secretaries, secretaries and ministers are found involved in corruption.
“PMO cannot take action against ministers and top bureaucrats,” Paudel said, adding, “The PMO will send reports to CIAA depending on the recommendations of the units. The units will be mandated to expedite and implement government´s anti-corruption strategy and plans.”
The draft working procedures of the anti-graft units has made it mandatory for unit officials to probe complaints, prepare reports and submit them to the PMO. The procedure states that the government would take action against officials for not fulfilling their duties sincerely.
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