Following a widespread outcry over his alleged involvement in a bribery scandal, Rajkumar Gupta stepped down from his post as Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration. His resignation did not surprise many because he was asked to tender the resignation by none other than Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Gupta, in a Facebook post, claimed he was wrongly accused and described himself as a casualty of technology misuse. He said he quit to make way for an impartial investigation. Still, what truly concerned everyone was the leaked audio clip that linked him to a Rs 7.8 million bribery scandal. Lawmakers across party lines demanded action after the tape revealed a deal tied to the transfer of government employees and appointments at the Land Revenue Office and Land Commission. The audio scandal was backed up by visual proof: photographs of two bags full of cash and serial numbers of currency bundles. The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) received the complaint with both pictures and the voice recording. In the audio, Gupta is alleged to have taken Rs 5.3 million to stop the transfer of a land revenue officer in Kaski, and another Rs 2.5 million to appoint someone to a powerful post in the Land Commission. It was not the first time such shady dealings were linked to the reshuffling of civil servants, but this time, the audio trail left little room for the tainted minister for undertaking political maneuvering to save himself from ignominy.
Sadly, over the years, a number of Nepali ministers and lawmakers have either stepped down or faced charges over similar allegations of bribery and corruption. Some years ago, Former Minister for Communications and Information Technology Gokul Baskota had to resign after an audio clip linked him to a Rs 700 million commission demand. Another high-profile scandal involved the then Minister for Communications and Information Technology Mohan Bahadur Basnet, who has now been suspended as lawmaker over procurement of TERAMOCS, though he denied wrongdoing and survived politically. Former Home Minister Rabi Lamicchane is currently spending his time in jail for his involvement in cooperative saving fraud. Several lawmakers are on the run after they were charged of being involved in cooperative funds frauds. The list continues with provincial ministers, parliamentarians, and bureaucrats who have been dragged into investigations, only to later claim innocence or political conspiracy. The involvement of high-profile ministers and lawmakers in fraud and bribery reflects deeper flaws in the existing power structure. They wield immense clout over staff transfers, budget allocations, project approvals, and appointments. That level of influence naturally attracts supporters and middlemen looking to strike deals behind closed doors.
Corruption control is a challenge: PM
There are some ways that can help stop this rot. Making financial disclosures mandatory for all elected officials and verifying them regularly could help. Transfers of all civil servants must be conducted through a set rule and process with no political interference which will help stop manipulation in transfers. Strengthening institutions like the CIAA, giving them more autonomy, and making their investigations public could also push things in the right direction. Political parties must not shield tainted leaders or delay action. Gupta’s resignation may send a strong message to all leaders, ministers and lawmakers willing to take advantage of their position and power. However, unless there is a reset to the system to make corruption a risky act, the Nepali people are likely to see more of such corrupt acts.
