KATHMANDU, Dec 10: Nepal has failed to improve in checking widespread corruption while deep rooted corruption in the system has led to weak accountability and implementation of laws by public authorities.
Analysts have expressed their view amid a program organized to mark International Anti-Corruption Day on Monday. Madan Krishna Sharma, chairperson of the Transparency International (TI), said corruption is seen even when the government makes policy decisions and implements big projects and appointments and transfers of officials.
Women who drive
According to the TI, Nepal stands at the 108th position with its Corruption Perception Index (CPI) at 35 points. The one falling under the threshold of 50 points shows widespread and deepened corruption in the country.
Nepal through its 16th five year periodic plan has aimed to increase its CPI at 43 points by 2028/29. However, the country’s progress in the past few years reveals the snail pace improvement in line. In fiscal year 2018/19, Nepal's CPI stood at 34 points while the country achieved 35 points in FY 2022/23, in a span of four years.
Narhari Ghimire, spokesperson of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority, said all the three tier governments along with the authorities responsible for public service deliveries should assume responsibility to maintain good governance to minimize problems of corruption. According to him, these authorities, in this regard, must show high concern towards timely completion of projects, well managed procurement management system, maintaining transparency in using public funds, timely conduction of audit and settlement of arrears.
