Prime Minister karki Emphasizes Government’s Role in Controlling Corruption and Promoting Good Governance

Prime Minister Sushila Karki has stated that the responsibility for controlling corruption lies with the government, and that work is being carried out accordingly. Speaking at a special ceremony today held on the occasion of the 35th foundation day of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), Prime Minister Karki highlighted that the government is working day and night to reduce and control corruption and establish good governance.

She urged everyone to take the youth-led movement in September, which demanded good governance and anti-corruption reforms, as a serious message. Prime Minister Karki clarified that the current government, formed on the momentum of the youth movement, is prioritizing citizen-friendly administration, controlling corruption, and carrying out comprehensive governance reforms.

The Prime Minister stated that the government has stopped unnecessary decisions that burden the state treasury and has adopted frugality in public expenditure. “We have halted unnecessary recruitments that burden the treasury. Several budgets listed in the red book, intended for resource misuse without adequate preparation, have been cut,” she said. She emphasized that the government has acted firmly against misuse of state resources and discouraged tendencies to receive undesired benefits or misuse resources.

Prime Minister Karki said the government is sensitive to making essential services that directly concern citizens—such as citizenship, passports, and driving licenses—simple, fast, and accessible.

She also informed that the work to prepare a “Good Governance Roadmap,” which will guide the government after the upcoming elections, is in its final stage. “We have prepared a roadmap to build a long-term foundation for good governance, which we hope the next government will continue,” she added.

Highlighting the crucial role of the CIAA in promoting good governance and preventing corruption, the Prime Minister noted the Commission has become more active recently. She emphasized that the government supports making the structures under the CIAA professional and independent to strengthen anti-corruption actions and enforcement.

Karki stressed the need for a zero-tolerance policy toward corruption and informed that the second national policy, aligned with the UN Convention against Corruption, is in its final stages.

Regarding the post-youth-movement context, she stated the government is focused on maintaining peace and order and creating a conducive environment for elections. She expressed confidence that the next government, with a new mandate, will take further steps to establish good governance reflecting the sentiments of the “Gen Z” generation.

“Although we have sufficient structures and legal frameworks to control corruption, it is still not being fully controlled. The street movement in September demanded an end to malpractices and corruption, and some even lost their lives—who will answer these questions?” she asked.

The Prime Minister noted that such sensitive issues compel state mechanisms to self-reflect. “The primary responsibility to control corruption lies with the government, specifically the executive branch. Each head of an institution must take responsibility for controlling corruption within their organization and be accountable,” she said.

She expressed dissatisfaction with tendencies to avoid executive responsibility, stating, “Until we stop looking away from the executive and blaming separate structures, we cannot achieve the reforms we seek. The head of each office is responsible for any corruption or bribery occurring within it.”

Prime Minister Karki also mentioned that the lack of responsibility and ethical awareness weakens good governance. She stressed that all civil servants, political leaders, and other stakeholders must have a sense of responsibility.

Finally, she urged that the upcoming House of Representatives election on February 21 be viewed as a major campaign for establishing integrity in the country. “I appeal to everyone from this platform to treat the upcoming February 21 election as a major campaign for ethical governance. Let us make the House of Representatives a home for representatives with a clean image and clear commitment against corruption,” she said.