Many ups and downs were observed
during the course of democratic practice after the
reinstatement of multiparty democracy in Nepal since
1996. Different efforts have been made to strengthen
and stabilize multiparty politics. For the last
three years, steps have been taken towards administration
reforms so as to make the public administration
efficient and effective.
After the growing public pressure against corruption
in Nepal, the government has formulated and enacted
anti-corruption laws in the last three years. In
addition to this, the Commission for the Investigation
of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), the constitutional
watchdog against corruption, has been further strengthened
and empowered through the second Amendment to the
CIAA Act. Now the CIAA has implemented an Action
Plan against corruption so that a reduction in corruption
can be felt in the five years to come. To encourage
the CIAA and give it a morale boost by creating
public support against corruption, Pro Public has
jointly organized different programs with the CIAA.
The CIAA, despite its limited resources, has made
a few daring strides against corruption in the last
two years. These strides of the anti-corruption
body have been welcomed and lauded by the general
public as well as the media equally. No news regarding
any kind of interference from the government in
the affairs of the CIAA has been heard so far. The
anti-corruption agenda has received continuity in
the successive governments time and again. And every
successive government has emphasized the issues
of improving the state of state-provided services,
transparency and accountability. This is also an
indication that those who form the government have
realized that successful running of the state is
not possible unless the people are provided with
good governance. Similarly, the GGCs formed at the
local level are gradually spreading their campaign
against corruption. Preparing a concept paper on
“Friends of the CIAA”, the GGP has been
working shoulder to shoulder with the CIAA. The
government has also made public Anti-corruption
Action Plan and set up a Special Court to look into
corruption-related cases.
Based on the report submitted by the Judicial Inquiry
Commission on Property, the CIAA has arrested five
former ministers on charges of corruption. This
is the first incident when ex-ministers have been
arrested on charges of corruption. Similarly, top
government officials e.g. former Secretary of Home,
former Secretary of Defense, director generals and
general mangers of government enterprises have been
arrested on charges of corruption. Likewise, top
police officials and some business tycoons are also
facing anti-corruption action of the CIAA.
It is being felt that the government is playing
a pro-active role to fight the anomalies within
administration by forming the National Vigilance
Center. This has generated a sense of trust among
the citizens. And a feeling towards the need of
working with the civil society to establish good
governance in the country has developed in the government
bodies. Nomination of the GGP Director and senior
officials in different committees formed by the
Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Commerce and
Supplies and others ministries can be regarded as
the change in working style of the government employees.
Citizens’ Charters are being kept outside
the service-providing government bodies. It won’t
be an exaggeration to say that the government is
trying to improve administrative delays by forming
Public Service Monitoring and Inspection Team.
After a continuous public pressure and initiative
from Pro Public, the National Assembly has formulated
and implemented its Codes of Conduct. This can be
considered as a purification process within the
parliamentary practice.
The Nepalese civil society is gradually becoming
successful in making everybody realize that there
should be good governance in the country. It is
found that efforts have been made times and again
from the government machinery to be people-oriented,
transparent and accountable. Formulation of the
Corruption Elimination Act, the CIAA Act (Second
Amendment) and the Special Court Act are milestones
and are believed to be gradually paving the way
towards Good Governance Pathway. And it is a matter
of pride that the issues raised objectively by Pro
Public, an organization committed to the cause of
good governance, have also, though partly, contributed
to these developments. There is no denying that
the role of civil society is indispensable in establishing
good governance in the country in the days to come.
A national consensus is gradually evolving to create
this situation. The top government officials have
started to pay due respect to the role of civil
society. Nevertheless, the need of political stability
for an all-round improvement cannot be denied. |
