Kathmandu — Chief Commissioner of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), Prem Kumar Rai, has said that the primary responsibility for controlling corruption rests with the government.
Corruption Control Must Be a State Priority
Speaking at an awards and commendation certificate distribution ceremony on Monday to mark the Commission’s 35th anniversary, Rai said the fight against corruption must be a top priority for the state.
He stressed that effective implementation of existing laws, rules, and regulations by federal, provincial, and local governments is essential to ensuring good governance. Rai said the CIAA functions as a last-resort institution in corruption control, emphasizing that corruption cannot be addressed by a single body alone.
He noted that the combined role of the government, civil society, and the media is indispensable for establishing good governance. He said the Commission has remained continuously active in controlling corruption in line with prevailing laws and legal frameworks.
Technology, Capacity Expansion, and Public Trust
To strengthen its effectiveness, Rai said the CIAA has increased its workforce, reformed its operational approach, and expanded the use of technology. He also noted that rapid technological advancement has made corrupt practices increasingly complex, posing new challenges for oversight institutions. Rai said the evolving nature of corruption has created the need for a more robust and proactive approach to control it.
Claiming that public trust in the Commission has increased in recent years, Rai said the institutional capacity of the CIAA has been strengthened during his five-year tenure. He added that the Commission’s current working style has helped generate renewed public confidence and hope for good governance.
