Intensifying its fight against corruption and irregularities, the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority has directed several ministries and government departments to perform their duties efficiently, honestly and in a manner that services could reach the general public promptly. The anti-graft body has also warned of bitter consequences if they fail to abide by its directives.

The CIAA has directed the Ministry of Labour and the Department of Foreign Employment to provide prompt services to aspirant migrant workers and to manage enough staff if lack of officials was hampering service delivery. The anti-graft body, in its strongly-worded directive, has warned that any shortcomings on their part henceforth would lead to ‘consequences for which the concerned authorities/officials will be responsible.

A press release issued by CIAA Spokesperson Shreedhar Sapkota on behalf of the anti-graft body has asked Labour Secretary Suresh Man Shrestha and DoFE Director-General Binod KC to carry out their duties responsibly. Stating that there have been complaints and news reports of delayed services to the general public following CIAA action against some corrupt officials of the Department of Immigration and DoFE, the CIAA has directed the ministry and DoFE to do the needful to change the officials’ tune. The CIAA added that its attention has been drawn to the incidents of hundreds of youth returning from Tribhuvan International Airport because they were not cleared by concerned officials citing lack of human resources.

The anti-graft body also said that if the general public were not provided with prompt services despite having original documents, or any flaws were found on the part of the concerned ministry/department, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Department of Immigration would be held responsible. The anti-graft body has also drawn the attention of Home Secretary Nabin Ghimire and the Director-General of DoI Sharad Chandra Paudel to act as required.

Stating that it has also received information about lackadaisical performance and negligence at the Nepal Electricity Authority, the CIAA has warned of strong action if such activities continue. It said it has found that officials at the power utility have been found shirking their duties in the wake of action against some NEA officials in relation to a transfer purchase scam. It has also issued directives to the Ministry of Energy and the Department of Electricity Development to prioritise power projects at the national level and make electricity supply smooth and effective. The CIAA has directed Energy Secretary Bishwa Prakash Pundit and Director General of Department of Electricity Development Dilli Bahadur Singh to pull their socks up and establish good governance. Reminding its directives issued to top NEA officials during a meeting with the commissioners on August 15, the CIAA has asked them to implement the orders promptly.

In the line of fire

• Labour Secretary Suresh Man Shrestha

• Director General of Department of Foreign Employment Binod KC

• Home Secretary Nabin Ghimire

• Director General of Department of Immigration Sharad Chandra Paudel

• Energy Secretary Bishwa Prakash Pundit

• Director General of Department of Electricity Development Dilli Bahadur Singh

DoFE DG Binod KC fails to furnish files

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority said on Wednesday that Director-General of the Department of Foreign Employment Binod KC failed in his commitment to produce the files it had sought, a CIAA source said. “He had assured us of maximum cooperation, but it seems he is going to face action,” the source added. KC has been under CIAA scrutiny in a charge of issuing labour permits illegally to 77 migrant workers last year. The anti-graft body has already arrested 35 officials for their involvement in the case. The arrestees had pointed that DoFE Chief KC and other officials were directly involved in the irregularity. Of the 77 workers, who obtained labour clearance last year, 34 have already landed in various countries, while others are still waiting to fly.

Published on: 29 August 2013 | The Himalayan Times