Political outlet within few days: PM

Kathmandu, Feb. 10: Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai said the political consensus would be forged within a few days to hold the Constituent Assembly election by May.

 Speaking at a programme organized on establishment day of the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) here today, he said, "We are towards political resolution soon passing through the existing political deadlock."

He said the current government had declared the fresh CA elections and that the government was committed to following the political consensus made by keeping the CA election in focus.

Prime Minister Dr. Bhattarai said the corrupt activities that have been a global challenge, has also plagued Nepal as well, adding that institutionalizing and strengthening democracy was only possible through fair, transparent, responsible and corruption less state mechanism.

The building of the new prosperous Nepal was possible through corruption less society, and through good governance, Prime Minister Dr. Bhattarai said, adding, "The society will have the discrimination, partiality and injustice unless corruption comes to an end in the country and that good governance as expected was not possible, and therefore, national development would be pushed years away."

Prime Minister Dr. Bhattarai said it was necessary to end social crimes like corruption and that the government has kept the issues of corruption control in the centre and that it has been making efforts to develop zero tolerance against corruption among all.

Dr. Bhattarai said he was for strengthening the CIAA to make the legal action against the people who encourage corruption, adding that at a time when the process of appointing the CIAA officials was in the final phase, the Legislature-Parliament was dissolved thereby disrupting the process. "It has made me sad," said the Prime Minister.

The first and foremost responsibility has gone to the civil servants now, he said and directed that one and all should work from today for the anti-corruption campaign.

Guaranteeing good governance with the establishment of corruption-free society by making the Commission's role more effective was the prime need of the hour, the PM said.Commission Secretary Ganesh Raj Joshi briefed the PM of the activities conducted by the Commission throughout the year.

The Commission had filed 111 cases in a year and succeeded in collecting revenue of Rs. 470 million in fines.  Besides, it has already directed the bodies concerned to register 1,900 ropanis of land in the government's name.

President of Transparency International Nepal, Bishnu Bahadur KC urged the PM to make appointments to the vacant posts at the Commission as quickly as possible.Image of Nepalis in the international arena has been tarnished due to rampant corruption in the country, he said.

Commission Joint Attorney Rhisiram Dawadi said corruption control was the top priority of the Commission and it had been working accordingly.

On the occasion, Commission's former secretaries Jeet Bahadur Manandhar and Ambika Bhakta Sharma were honoured and prizes were given away to the winners of different competitions like essay writing and cartoon drawing held on the occasion of the  commission anniversary.

Similarly, the PM honoured the best performers within the Commission with cash prizes and letters of appreciationThe PM, on the occasion, unveiled a souvenir published by the commission, marking its 22^nd anniversary.

A survey conducted by the Transparency International has placed Nepal in 139^th position among 176 countries in the world in corruption point of corruption. Various posts including the key ones at the Commission have been lying vacant for the past three years and its business is being looked after by civil servants.