Sat,2 September 2023
Corruption is when people in power abuse their position to gain benefits for themselves, rather than serving the people they are meant to help. Corruption affects every aspect of Nepalese society, including politics, education, healthcare, and the justice system. Corruption is a big problem in Nepal because it has been going on for a long time, and it is a part of the country's political and social aspects.
Corruption is not just restricted to the government, but it is also found in private businesses and society as a whole. Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index (CPI) for 2021 ranks Nepal 117 out of 180 countries, with a score of 28 out of 100, which means Nepal is a highly corrupt country. Corruption in Nepal channels funds that are meant for development projects, leading to many projects being incomplete or abandoned. For example, according to Intel, in 2021, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) stopped a $1.3 billion loan to Nepal because of concerns over corruption in the country.
Corruption also affects the quality of public services like healthcare and education. Corrupt officials often take bribes or engage in other illegal activities to provide better services to those who can pay, leaving the poor with low-quality services. Corruption also affects foreign investment in Nepal. Investors are often affected by the high levels of corruption, as it increases the risks related to investing in the country. This can significantly affect the country's economy.
The Nepali government has taken several steps to prevent corruption in the country. In 2019, the government introduced the National Integrity Policy, which aims to promote transparency and responsibility in the government sector. It also aims to create awareness among citizens about the negative impact of corruption on society. The government has also established various anti-corruption bodies, such as the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) and the Office of the Auditor General, to investigate corrupt officials. However, these bodies have been criticized for being ineffective and not having enough power to prevent corruption effectively. In 2022, Nepal received 34 points in Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index, which is one point more than in 2021. The index uses a scale of zero to 100, where zero is the most corrupt and 100 is the least corrupt.
A score below 50 is considered to have a relatively higher level of corruption in a country, according to the anti-corruption advocacy body. One of the major challenges in preventing corruption in Nepal is the lack of political will as well as political stability. Corruption is often used as a means of gaining and maintaining political power in the country. Many politicians have been involved in corruption scandals, and they are often protected from prosecution because of their political connections. Another challenge is the lack of public awareness about corruption.
Many Nepalese are unaware of their rights and do not know how to handle corruption, allowing corrupt officials to operate with exemption To tackle corruption in Nepal, there needs to be an equal effort from all sectors of society. The government needs to show a strong commitment to tackling corruption, and anti-corruption bodies need to be given more power to investigate corrupt officials. The media and society also have a crucial role to play in raising public awareness about corruption.
(Laxman Gautam is awaiting his SEE results)