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Nature, in its raw complexity, offers more than ecological insight; it serves as a diagnostic mirror for human governance. In this piece, I, a field researcher at the University of Basel on governance and sustainability sciences, aim to draw parallels between the behavioral patterns of Dhole (the Asiatic wild dog, locally known as Bwanso) at Nepal’s Dhorpatan hunting reserve, predatory behavior of Nepal’s political institutions and a polity on the brink. 

Based on my field research at the reserve, I can say that the Dhole’s surplus aggression, killing beyond necessity, barking without cause and obsessively marking territory reflects a drive for dominance untethered from survival. 

Oversexed during the mating season (mating occurs up to 40 times a day), the lioness shows erratic shifts in her behavior. She growls and signals a breakdown in cooperative dynamics with her lion. These instinctual cycles of excess, fatigue and territorial assertion are not merely biological curiosities; they metaphorically shed light on the behavioral pathology of Nepal’s political institutions in chaos for over three decades.

A vicious cycle

Since Nepal’s political shift in 1990, governance has been under the domination of the Nepali Congress, UML/its factions and later the Maoists, each contributing to institutional decay. The Maoist insurgency, launched in the 90s with the promise of inclusion and anti-corruption, brought immense human, private properties and infrastructural losses but failed to deliver stated reforms. Successive governments engaged in corruption, enabled capture of public properties and weakened state institutions. 

Leaders such as Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Sher Bahadur Deuba, Madhav Kumar Nepal, Baburam Bhattarai, Jhalanath Khanal, and late Girija Prasad Koirala presided over regimes marked by impunity and performative politics. Oli, now UML chairman and a multi-term Prime Minister, increasingly defies institutional norms, positioning himself as a national savior while his party cadre applaud his witty lines. 

The bureaucracy has become a pawn for political groups, and public trust in this institution has eroded. Nepal’s political culture driven by dominance, exhaustion and erratic behavior mirrors the chaotic aggression of the lioness and the dhole. Lavish attention has led political figures to mistake flattery for stature, much like the donkey who, after receiving undue praise, believed itself to be a lion.

Economic paradoxes

The Ministry of Finance reveals that in 2023-24, Nepal’s total public debt (domestic and external combined) stood at Rs 2,434.57bn, rising to Rs 2,664.42bn in 2024-25, a 9.4 percent annual increase. Public revenue in 2024-25 totaled Rs 1,196.19bn, against a national budget of Rs 1,860.3bn.

Expenditures reached Rs 1,512.98bn, achieving an execution rate of 81.33 percent. Of this, current expenditures consumed most of the budget, while capital spending (18 percent) lagged far behind, reflecting a chronic inability to implement developmental projects effectively. On the trade front, imports reached Rs 1,841.20bn, dwarfing exports of only Rs 277bn. 

Remittance increased 19.2 percent and the total amount reached by Rs 1723.27bn in 2024-25, constituting 28.22 percent of the GDP.  The GDP increased modestly from Rs 5,705.10bn in 2023-24 to Rs 6,107.22bn in 2024-25, with agriculture contributing 25.6 percent, industry 12.4 percent, and services 62.2 percent. The overall economic growth rate of 4.61 percent is insufficient to absorb the expanding labor force or sustain developmental ambitions.

Despite modest growth, Nepal’s structural economy remains severely distorted. Infrastructure across economic, social and environmental sectors is deteriorating. The tourism industry continues to suffer from unreliable and costly connectivity systems. Domestic airfares remain disproportionately expensive, discouraging travel. Agricultural stagnation persists due to poor input supply, inadequate processing facilities, technologies and weak market linkages, despite heavy public spending. Each year, approximately half a million Nepalis enter the labor market, yet the domestic economy generates very few viable jobs. 

Consequently, labor migration remains the default escape, with an additional 250,000 renewing their work permits annually. The economy, therefore, is sustained not by innovation or productivity but by remittances. This condition stands in stark contrast to the insights of the 2025 Nobel Laureates in Economic Sciences: Prof Peter Howitt, Prof Joel Mokyr, and  Prof Philippe Aghion, who emphasises innovation-driven growth and institutional dynamism as the foundation of sustained prosperity that Nepal has already missed.

Myth of a directly elected chief 

Nepal’s political economy is deeply compromised by state capture, corruption and impunity conditions that have galvanized the GenZ movement. The electricity billing crisis exemplifies systemic injustice: while industrial elites evade payment through litigation, ordinary citizens face disconnection after brief delays. Illicit invoicing and bribery further erode the tax base and institutional capacity. 

GenZ activists have exposed the stark contrast between the opulence of political leaders with private gyms, swimming pools, stock of imported liquors, hoarded cash and the deprivation in rural communities lacking basic social/economic infrastructure, health, education and maternal care. Their call to bring the “Lion/Lioness and the Dhole to justice” reflects a broader demand for governance reform. 

Among their proposals, the push for a directly elected executive has sparked debate. While the appeal for decisive leadership is understandable, Nepal’s fragile state institutions, uneven education and diverse social fabric and wrongful political fragility make a directly elected executive risky. Without strong institutional checks and balances, the state could slide into totalitarian and authoritarianism. The crisis is not merely government structural but rooted in moral hazard, as political actors manipulate democratic processes for personal and political group gains. 

Nepal must first restore institutional integrity with strong checks and balances before mulling over a directly elected executive. The immediate priority is doing away with corruption, which is thriving due to the involvement of political groups and their leaders, and rebuilding public trust.

A moral and institutional renewal

Nepal’s salvation does not lie in adopting a new executive model but in undertaking a rigorous, impartial legal reckoning against widespread and unchecked corruption. The nation must confront the rooted networks of political and bureaucratic corruption that have hollowed out governance and state institutions. Only through the prosecution and removal of corrupt political leaders and officials, and the restoration of ethical governance can Nepal build a sustainable path toward peace, justice, inclusive development and prosperity. 

Until then, the nation’s political stage will continue to resemble the wild drama of the lion/lioness and Dhole marked by instinct, exhaustion and unrestrained appetite, rather than by reason, discipline and the pursuit of common goods.

Prime Minister Sushila Karki has reiterated that  the government stands for social justice and good governance. Corruption control is a priority, she added. 

PM Oli said it in her address to the nation on Thursday evening.

It is her first address to the nation after she assumed office as the PM of the interim government mandated to hold election to the House of Representatives (HoR) coming March 5. 

She urged all civil employees to ensure hassle-free and prompt public service delivery. 

Hotlines were managed in all government offices, including the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers to hear public complaints. Anyone having grudges to public service could reach the hotline and lodge complaints, she reminded. 

The PM made it clear that the issue of constitution amendment could be addressed only through the parliament with people's representatives. However, the government was being run as per the spirit of Gen-Z struggle. 

She sought cooperation from all sides concerned to make the government successful.

The small-scale and haphazard projects will be scrapped in a bid to secure resources for the fiscal year. A reconstruction fund was set up to collect the budget for rebuilding infrastructures damaged during the protests, she shared.

The PM appealed to all civil servants not to engage in the activities that discourage colleagues in the changed context, but to devote themselves to better public service delivery. 

Turkish authorities have detained 48 people, including Hasan Mutlu, the Republican People’s Party (CHP) mayor of Istanbul’s Bayrampaşa district, as part of a wide-ranging corruption investigation. Early morning raids were conducted at 72 locations, targeting embezzlement, bribery, and tender-rigging, Reuters reported.

Mutlu denied the allegations, describing the probe as politically motivated. This action is part of a broader, year-long crackdown on the CHP, which has already seen hundreds of party members arrested.

A court ruling expected on Monday could further impact the party’s leadership, raising concerns about the balance between democratic institutions and centralized power in Turkey, according to Reuters.

Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Chairman Rajendra Lingden has said that his party will protest against corruption and ill-governance from the Parliament and  streets.

At the beginning of today's meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR), he questioned what the Good Governance Commission under the leadership of the Prime Minister is doing while issues of corruption and mismanagement are becoming apparent in the country.

"Ministers are coming under scrutiny one after another in various scams, if they have any morality and commitment to good governance, shouldn't the ministers resign?" Chairman Lingden said, adding that his party will strongly protest this from the Parliament and the streets.

The leader of the RPP Parliamentary Party in the HoR, Lingden, said it is not appropriate to forcibly conduct meetings while the opposition parties continue to protest in Parliament demanding the formation of a high-level committee to conduct an impartial investigation into the 'Visit Visa' case.

"The Speaker must also take the initiative to address the voice of the people. Efforts should be made to address the issues raised by the opposition parties," he added.

Lawmaker Ashok Kumar Chaudhary from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) said that a fair investigation should be conducted into the questions raised against the Minister of Home Affairs, the Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation, and the Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration, and they should be answers.

MPs from RSP and RPP walked out of the meeting expressing their views on behalf of their respective parties.

Nepal is stuck in a dangerous cycle. Corruption is increasing, and the gap between the rich and the poor is getting wider every day. Many people have lost trust in the government because they feel ignored, cheated and left behind. Even though Nepal has become a democracy and given more power to local governments, real control still lies with a small group of wealthy and powerful people. Most citizens, especially the poor and those living in rural areas, continue to struggle just to survive.

Corruption is present at every level—national, provincial, and local. Money meant for important services like schools, hospitals and roads often disappears due to theft, misuse or waste. Politicians and officials make big promises, but many development projects are only started to make money for themselves and their friends. Budgets are often made larger than needed, so that extra money can be secretly siphoned off. Contracts for construction are not always given to the most qualified companies, but to those with political connections. This leads to weak, unsafe buildings or projects that are never finished.

Even when work begins, a large amount of money is lost before it reaches the people. It is believed that only about 35 percent of the capital budget is used properly. Corrupt politicians, dishonest contractors and some government employees devour the rest. Because of this, roads break apart within months, schools lack basic furniture and qualified teachers, and hospitals do not have enough doctors, medicine or even potable water.

This situation hurts poor people the most. Many laborers working on these projects are paid very low wages—and sometimes, they are not paid at all. Their problems are ignored, and they have no real way to raise their demands or seek justice. Meanwhile, rich people keep gaining more power by using their money to influence politics and business. This unfair system keeps poor people stuck in poverty and gives the rich even more control over the country’s future.

Another big problem is how government jobs are given. Instead of hiring people based on education, skills or experience, jobs often go to relatives, friends or political supporters. This means that many important offices are run by people who are not qualified for the jobs at hand. As a result, government services become slow, unfair and ineffective. Honest and capable people are often pushed aside, which creates frustration among the youth. Many young people lose hope in the system and choose to leave the country to find better opportunities abroad. This “brain drain” is a big loss for Nepal, as it loses skilled and educated workers, who could have helped develop the country.

Even the institutions that are supposed to fight corruption are failing. Organizations like the anti-corruption commission and other watchdogs are often under the grip of powerful leaders. They are not truly independent, and they rarely investigate or punish those in high positions. When corrupt leaders go unpunished, it sends a message that stealing public money is acceptable. This creates a culture where corruption becomes normal and expected.

The seriousness of this problem can be seen in the numbers. According to OXFAM, Nepal’s Gini coefficient—which measures income inequality—rose from 0.49 in 2010-11 to 0.58 in 2019. This shows that the gap between the rich and the poor is growing quickly. Another number, the Palma Ratio, shows that the top 10 percent of the population earns three times more income than the bottom 40 percent. This level of inequality is dangerous for any country.

Inequality is not just about income. It also affects access to good education, healthcare, housing, justice and job opportunities. Poor families cannot afford to send their children to private schools or pay for treatment at private hospitals. The legal system is slow and expensive, and poor people often cannot afford lawyers or do not have the connections needed to get justice. Over time, this creates anger, hopelessness and frustration, especially among young people, who feel their future has been stolen.

When people believe that the system is unfair and corrupt, they stop trusting democracy. They stop voting, stop getting involved and stop believing that change is possible. This weakens society as a whole.

Corruption also hurts Nepal’s economy. Investors, both local and foreign, are unwilling to put their money into a country where bribes are expected and laws are not enforced. Small businesses—which create most of the jobs—cannot survive if they are constantly blocked through unfair rules, heavy taxes or competition from companies that enjoy political protection. As a result, unemployment increases, and more and more young people leave the country to find work abroad.

If this situation continues, Nepal is most likely to face serious problems in the future. Poverty may rise, social unrest could grow and public services may collapse. Protests and instability could become more common, and more people could lose hope in the idea of a better future.

Solving this problem is not easy. Passing new laws alone is not enough. Real change needs to happen in how the system works and how leaders think. Government offices must be honest and open about how they spend money. Public jobs should be given to people based on their skills, not their political connections. More importantly, citizens need to be able to ask questions, demand answers and take part in decision-making.

The media, civil society and youth movements can play an important role in the fight against corruption. Educating young people about honesty, fairness and responsibility can help build a new generation that refuses to accept corruption as normal. Technology can also help by making government systems digital and easy to track, so that money is not stolen as easily.

In conclusion, corruption in Nepal is not just one problem. It is the root cause of many other problems, including poverty, poor public services, slow development and a weak democracy. If we don’t take it seriously, the rich will keep getting richer, the poor will suffer more and Nepal will fall even further behind. The country needs honest leaders, strong institutions and active citizens who work together to build a fairer and more hopeful future.

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was officially placed under custody by a Turkish court for trial on corruption charges, just days after his detention sparked nationwide protests, Aljazeera reported.

Imamoglu and at least 20 other people were imprisoned as part of a corruption investigation, the court said. A decision on a separate probe into terror has not yet been made.

The court opted to release the mayor under judicial control measures for a second terror-related charge, according to stations Halk TV and AHaber, potentially preventing the government from choosing a trustee to oversee the country's largest city, according to Aljazeera

The mayor, a key opposition member and prospective contender to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was jailed by the government on Wednesday on charges of "terrorism" and corruption.

Imamoglu has refuted all claims, referring to them as part of a "smear campaign".

Chief Commissioner of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) Prem Kumar Rai has called for support from all sides to combat corruption.

Addressing an event to mark the 33rd establishment day of the CIAA in Kathmandu on Sunday, Rai said CIAA has been playing an active role in checking corruption and promoting good governance in the nation.  

Noting that there is a widespread public complaint that the country’s good governance situation has not improved as expected, the CIAA chief stressed the need for all to work actively and responsibly for good governance.

“The fight against corruption is not that of CIAA alone; there is a need for collective efforts as it is a multi-dimensional topic. Every citizen should play an active role for the establishment of good governance,” reiterated the CIAA Chief Commissioner.

According to Rai, a significant number of complaints have been lodged at CIAA after implementation of federalism began. He said the plaints are related to misuse of public assets in development and construction works, budget appropriation, subsidy distribution, service delivery, among other works, to giving and taking of bribe and inducements, to carrying out works with the ill intention of taking illegal benefit and amassing illegal assets at all the three tiers of the government 

The CIAA chief stated that transparency is not seen in public procurement and construction, and called on responsible authorities and office-bearers to become more responsible for fulfilling their legal duties on protecting and preserving public property. He noted that the misuse of public land has increased and the tendency of selling government land for personal gains has also been observed.

Rai said the CIAA is moving ahead with all seriousness toward expanding its jurisdiction and carrying out effective investigations related to the quality of infrastructure in view of growing public complaints of misappropriation in this sector. 

He stressed the need to put an end to anomalies and aberrations seen in public entities promptly and to promote good governance in the country so as to increase the citizens' faith in the government.

Rai said CIAA will move ahead to bring those involved in illegal activities within the purview of law. 

Reminding that it would be difficult to achieve expected success in corruption control until the political officials in the executive role in all the three tiers of the government, the civil servants and the general public realized their responsibility, the CIAA chief called upon all to contribute from their respective fields to the national campaign aimed at controlling corruption. 

The CIAA marked its 33rd establishment day today around the theme—‘Let Us Improve Mindset, Culture and Attitude: Corruption Will Come Under Control.’

President Ramchandra Paudel, Vice-president Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Chief Justice Bishowambhar Prasad Shrestha, Speaker of the House of Representatives Devraj Ghimire, National Assembly Chair Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, Deputy Prime Minister, lawmakers, government high officials, among others, were present on the occasion.

At the program, President Paudel launched the CIAA Souvenir-2080. Journalists associated with different media outlets were presented with a cash award of Rs 20,000 each and a letter of commendation in recognition of their contribution to corruption control and promotion of good governance through news dissemination. The recipients are Matrika Dahal of Kantipur daily, Jaya Kumar Mishra (Anuragi) of Lokantaar.com, Subash Gotame of Ratopati.com and freelance journalist Sudarshan Acharya. 

CIAA also honored Rajesh Kumar Das, Deputy Superintendent of Police Prakash Budhathoki and deputy attorney Niranjan Sthapit with the Outstanding Investigator and Outstanding CIAA Service Award carrying a purse of Rs 35,000 and a copper plaque each. 

The constitutional ombudsman, CIAA, has been adopting control and promotional strategy, in addition to preventive measures for corruption control and promotion of a culture of integrity. It has been conducting an awareness program against corruption, in collaboration with the three-tier government, the civil society, public organizations, schools and the media.

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority recently marked the International Day against Corruption with the slogan ‘UN-CAC at 20; Uniting the World Against Corruption’. 

Despite high-sounding slogans, corruption remains pervasive in Nepal and a legal provision in the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority Act-1991 even prevents CIAA from investigating certain government decisions, including ‘policy decisions’, apart from nexus between powerful elements of our society.   

Section 4 (B) of the CIAA Act states: “The Commission, pursuant to the Act-1991, shall not take any action in matters relating to any business or decisions taken at meetings of any house of Parliament or of any committee or anything said or done by any member at such meetings, or any policy decisions taken by the council of ministers or any committee thereof or judicial actions of a court of law.”

If such controversial provisions are not amended or done away with altogether, nobody can curb corruption in this country, given the tendency to misuse the provision on ‘policy decisions’ to make legally questionable decisions and avoid legal action, among others. Existing corruption laws, particularly the CIAA Act, and Prevention of Corruption Act should be immediately amended to control corruption, which poses a grave threat to democracy, human rights, good governance and the rule of law. 

Ulla Termacs, Danish minister for development co-operation, rightly states: “Corruption in the form of bribery and misuse of public funds is a major obstacle to democracy in many of the world’s poor countries.’’ 

Back to the Big Day. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said on the occasion that his government was committed to ending corruption in coordination with public and private sectors, and civil society members. However, he did not touch upon the topic of legal amendments necessary to combat corruption. 

Apparently, this type of rhetoric is good for raising awareness to end corruption, but never sufficient to end the scourge itself. 

What’s more, corruption has become cancerous in Nepal, so one or two constitutional-legal provisions are unlikely to offer a complete cure, though the measure may be able to curb it a bit. Political will is what is needed to fight this scourge. 

It will be contextual to quote Bhimrao Ambedkar, father of the Indian Constitution, in this context: “However good the constitution may be, if those who are implementing it are not good, it will prove to be bad. However bad a constitution may be, if those implementations are  good, it will prove to be good.” 

PM Dahal correctly stated on the occasion that controlling corruption will be difficult without internalizing international anti-corruption conventions and without making suitable changes in our education policy to spread the message in society that corruption is unacceptable.

If corruption continues to thrive in our country, there will be no room for good governance, the rule of law, progress, prosperity and human rights. 

Our country has witnessed countless corruption scandals, including the infamous Lalita Niwas land grab, the Ncell scam, the 60-kg gold smuggling scandal and the Bhutanese refugee scam, thanks to the association of some powerful names. Much has been written about these shameful chapters. 

Nothing is transparent except corruption in this country and nothing more rampant than corruption, thriving as it is under some very powerful noses. Moreover, policy-level corruption has tarnished the image of the country nationally and internationally. Officials of relevant agencies seem helpless in fighting corruption because they have the obligation to serve their political masters, who appoint them on their respective parties’ quotas. 

Appointment of political parties’ near and dear ones in important positions is also a reason behind unabated corruption. If the parties and the government are serious about controlling corruption, they should discontinue this practice and appoint deserving candidates instead.  

All this takes the ball back to the Prime Minister’s court. 

The PM, who also happens to be the contact agency for the implementation of the UN General Convention against Corruption, should wake up to the threat that corruption poses to the country and do every bit to put an end to it. 

The author is a former vice-chair of Transparency International Nepal

When greed and shortsightedness are primaries in scheming economic policies and adopting other policies that have their roots in political instability and political impulses, nations fail, nationals are dissatisfied and the private sector is discontented.

Greed is reflected in policy-making and policy implementation. Sectors like infrastructure development, administration processes and contract administration offer examples. Greed has been the root cause for institutionalization of corruption and bribery. Incompetence, ineffectiveness and inefficiencies are on the rise in Nepal where economic policies derive through political desires to acquire wealth for political parties as well as for individuals. Unwarranted and self-interested longing for wealth and power on the part of powers that be results in poor infrastructure development works that takes a huge toll with development efforts producing sub-standard and unacceptable outcomes. 

Institutionalization of corruption, greed-led policies, programs and contracts is emerging as one of the major ‘threats’ for Nepal’s sovereignty, national identity and stability. 

Scams like the Lalita Niwas land-grab offer an example. Nepal’s Parliament remains susceptible to greed-led policies even as some voices continue to challenge such policies. 

In national policies, the occurrences of greed can have across-the-board outcomes. The aim is to observe the repercussions of greed-led national policies and examine their prospective magnitudes on numerous compasses, including economics, social welfare and governance.

Characterizing good governance

The availability of international aid and loans largely depends on the extent of good governance in a recipient country and efforts toward development. Good governance-documented literatures are as old as human civilization. They lay stress on curbing corruption, hearing the voices of the marginalized/underrepresented peoples in decision-making, addressing the needs of the society and maintaining applicable standards of the finished work. Good governance is accountable, consensus-oriented, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive, follows the rule of law, is participatory, responsive and transparent. 

Governance is often led by fear and greed and an insecure personal character. Fear that an individual is not capable enough to be placed in a favorable position where there is more budget. Personal behavior, also known as the greed personality trait (GPT), is personified by the craving to obtain further and the discontent of not ever having adequate, a trait associated with negative emotions/effect characteristics and aggressive conduct. These negative traits are turning into a national character, a setback for policy-making and forming a greed-free society in the long run. 

There is an involvement of several formal and informal actors as well as the civil society in governance. It may be a political cadre, who can influence decision-making in the interest of international donors that come with monetary pledges. Governments at various levels are one of the actors. Other actors can be landlords, heads of various associations, cooperatives, NGOs, INGOs, research institutions, religious structures and leaders, finance institutions, political parties and the military. They all can play important roles in making/shaping policies. Also, organized crime syndicates have influence particularly in government structures at the national level where decisions are arrived at and implemented. Informal decision-making structures like informal advisors, kitchen cabinets, land mafia and powerful families can influence decision-making, which often result in corrupt practices. 

The 21st century global economic crisis or financial crisis of 2008 highlighted the obsession and eventual ferocity of greed. It was an illustration of the type of recurrent greed that is prevalent in the economic system. The Asian Financial Crisis 1997 is another example of political inaccuracy in economic policies that impacted Southeast Asia.

Democracy sold out

Nepal has her own characteristics and own identity that need strengthening through democracy, but the opposite is happening. Greed-led practices to gain wealth for personal well-being are rampant, causing the investment meant for the nation to go waste.  It can be argued that the nature of corruption in democracies and autocracies for reforms are mere facades as there is corruption in infrastructure, tax collection, cross-border trade and government procurements.

This is part I of a two-part-series. 

The author is a Strategic Analyst, Major General (Retd) of the Nepali Army, and is associated with Rangsit University, Thailand

The team representing the Campaign for Nepali Congress Transformation today called on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and demanded the government take action against all those found indulging in corruption.

The team urged the government to act tough against corruption to promote good governance in the country.

The delegation comprising Madhu Acharya, Jagadishwar Narsingh KC, Bhupendra Jung Shahi, Khagendra Malla, Janardan Acharya, Shanta Bastakoti and others had been at Baluwatar, the official residence of the Prime Minister, to urge the PM to ensure impartial investigations into the Lalita Niwas land procurement scam and to hold accountable all individuals proven guilty in the case. 

The team also drew the government's attention not to harbor any political favor towards and prejudice against anyone in the investigation in relation to the gold scam and to conclude the case impartially. The delegation also called for thorough investigation into the fake Bhutanese refugee scam and to bring it to a conclusive resolution.

The delegation stressed the significance of holding anyone involved in corruption accountable, regardless of their political or social status.

In response, the Prime Minister assured the delegation that the government is committed to concluding all the corruption related cases with impartially and seriousness.  

The Constitution of Nepal 2015 has granted the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) the authority to examine allegations of abuse of authority against public office-holders and their aides.

In its early years--before the 1990s—the CIAA had played an effective role in curbing corruption. Over the years, the effectiveness of the constitutional anti-corruption agency has taken a beating, thanks to its rampant politicization. This has increased distrust, of the ‘small fry’ in particular, toward the agency.

Apart from a shortage of qualified personnel, CIAA also faces financial and technical limitations. Notably, it relies on support from the Nepal Police as it does not have an independent enforcement team of its own. I don’t oppose political appointments within the CIAA, but it is crucial to appoint competent and trained individuals to boost its performance. The emphasis should be on appointing officials who can act fearlessly and produce results.

The author is a former CIAA commissioner

The US Department of State’s Coordinator on Global Anti-Corruption Richard Nephew paid an official visit to Nepal this past week. According to the US embassy in Kathmandu, Nephew discussed with Nepali officials the progress regarding Nepal’s anti-corruption commitment as part of Summit for Democracy, and pledged US commitment to supporting Nepal’s efforts to eradicate corruption.

Nephew’s visit comes at a time when Nepal is investigating some big corruption scandals such as the fake Bhutanese refugee scandal, Lalita Niwas land grab and Kathmandu airport gold trafficking case. The US anti-corruption head also met Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha and the leadership of the Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police. 

Fighting corruption is a key component of US foreign policy. In response to ApEx’s email inquiry about Nephew’s visit, a US State Department spokesperson said: “We know as a universal truth that corruption erodes public trust in government and democratic institutions, deepens poverty and inequity, threatens public security, and stifles opportunity and growth.”

“It affects people in virtually every aspect of their daily lives, draining vital resources. That is why President Biden has designated the fight against corruption as a core US national security interest and why Coordinator Nephew’s mission is so important.” 

During his two-day Nepal stay, Nephew met with various Nepali officials  to learn about corruption challenges and to confer on how the US can help address these issues as part of overall Nepal-US partnership.

The US State Department spokesperson said Nephew was not in Nepal to see the progress on any specific case of corruption. In response to ApEx’s inquiry, the spokesperson said: “Just like any allegations of corruption, the current allegations of corruption and the unlawful fabrication of refugee documents in Nepal are concerning.”

This is probably the first time the US has expressed concerns over the fake Bhutanese refugee scam.  

“We understand Nepali authorities are investigating the allegations and hope they will quickly determine what transpired, hold perpetrators accountable, and deter future corruption cases in accordance with the law and the Nepal government’s commitments to transparency and accountability,” said the spokesperson.

“The United States has consistently supported Nepali government and civil society efforts to root out corruption. Transparent investigations into allegations of corruption demonstrate to the Nepali people that no one is above the law.  We commend actions by the Government of Nepal to bring truth to light in accordance with rule of law.”

Between 2007 and 2018, the US has welcomed tens of thousands of Bhutanese refugees formerly residing in Nepal as part of our global commitment to support refugees. The program has since ended, and there were no significant concerns regarding fraudulent activity associated with that resettlement process, said the spokesperson. 

Of late, visiting US officials have been raising corruption eradication as a key agenda to strengthen democracy. Earlier in January, US under Secretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland talked with Nepali politicians about the need to continue fighting corruption.

 The Biden administration in 2021 unveiled the US Strategy on Countering Corruption. In June that year, Biden said that corruption threatens United States national security, economic equity, global anti-poverty and development efforts, and democracy itself. “But by effectively preventing and countering corruption and demonstrating the advances of transparent and accountable governance, we can secure a critical advantage for the United States and other democracies,” he added.  

In Nepal, three corruption scandals—fake refugee scandal, Lalita Niwas land grab and gold smuggling—are under investigation. On the fake refugee case, the CIB has already filed cases against more than one person including former home minister, Bal Krishna Khand, and CPN-UML senior leader Top Bahadur Rayamajhi.
The CIB has also reopened the file on Lalita Niwas land grab case in which two former prime ministers Madhav Kumar Nepal and Baburam Bhattarai have also been implicated. The CIB is also investigating the gold trafficking case from Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport in which the involvement of high profile business persons and politicians has been suspected.

The government has started opening corruption files and arrested some high-profile figures. But these probes remain incomplete. In particular, the government appears to be shelving cases that can drag individuals associated with the CPN (Maoist Center). I firmly believe that the Bhutanese refugee scam involves more people than those subjected to investigation.

The government has chosen to spare them. 

The Lalita Niwas land-grab and the 100 kg gold case are no different. In the Lalita Niwas scam, the court had to intervene and direct the government to subject ex-PMs to investigation. Where were the law enforcement and other government agencies before this order? 

In corruption scandals, top brass of major parties tend to protect those close to them. This is indicative of prevailing consensus on corruption. While I do not question the Home Minister’s integrity, both the opposition and the government are trying to bar him from discharging his duties.

The author is member of federal parliament 

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said the government's campaign against corruption, misconducts and smuggling is not a political stunt and guided by the feeling of impulse.

In his address to the announcement of a 'front' of students’ unions close to the parties in the recently formed Socialist Front here today, the Prime Minister said," The government has launched a campaign against those misappropriating public property and engaging in human trafficking. This move will not end here, but will continue until it is won. This battle is not driven by any impulse or a political maneuver; rather it is intended at serving the collective interest of the Nepali citizens."

During the program, the Prime Minister said many cases of corruption would be open in the days to come.  He said that the government's sole efforts are not enough to curb corruption, instead mass support and cooperation are vital for the same. "We require the support of the Socialist Front.  We will win this battle if mass support is ensured. "

The Prime Minister took time to say that the government would be presenting the Federal Education Bill to the House on Tuesday.

The document will be passed by the Cabinet before taking it to the House, according to the Prime Minister who believed that the bill would find a road map for improvements in the education sector.

The Prime Minister added that various posts lying vacant at the Tribhuvan University Education Commission and other universities would be fulfilled soon.

Search is on for High Level Education Commission's report

PM Dahal said that a search is on for the report of the High-Level Education Commission. The report prepared during the term of the government led by the then Nepal Communist Party has not been made public.

He said that although the majority members of the then party were ready to make the report public and implement it immediately, the then Prime Minister was not ready to do so.  PM Dahal added that a search has been started for finding that report.

According to him, a consistent search was initiated for tracking down the report after he became the Prime Minister, but it has not been found. He informed that he also had concerns with the then Education Minister Giriraj Mani Pokharel about the report and Pokharel told him that he submitted it without even keeping its single copy with him.

Stating that a big political change was brought through peaceful and armed struggle and the education, health, employment and the right to food have been enshrined as the basic rights in the Constitution, Prime Minister Dahal reiterated that the socialism that is provided for in the Constitution would be implemented in practice. 

He said that the government is taking ahead some important work with the preparation of installing the embryo of socialism in the education sector.  

Stating that several attempts were made to create confusions and bring about misunderstanding among the leaders also even after the formation of the Socialist Front, PM Dahal said the leadership is ready to move ahead by defeating all these conspiracies.