Kathmandu, February 9:

Chief commissioner of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), Surya Nath Upadhayay, has called on government secretaries to work honestly and not fear the CIAA.

Speaking at a programme organised here today by the anti-corruption watchdog to mark its anniversary, Upadhayay called on them to “show courage and launch development works honestly.”

The CIAA will not intervene in administrative works if there is no misuse of power and corruption, Upadhayay said. “I have told the government secretaries several times to work courageoulsy and honestly and not fear the CIAA.”

The government should launch development works on its own as seeking donors’ help for the execution of every development work would be inappropriate, Upadhayay said.

Everyone should make efforts for building a corruption-free society and a disciplined administration, Upadhayay said, adding: “Every official should be accountable to the people.”

The judiciary can play a vital role in fighting against corruption in the country, former justice of the Supreme Court, Krishna Jung Rayamajhi, said.

“When the judiciary itself is allegedly involved in corruption, the role of courts in curbing corruption becomes all the more crucial,” Rayamajhi added.

CIAA commissioner Lalit Bahadur Limbu, economist Dr Mohan Man Saiju and journalist Yuba Raj Ghimire called on people from every walk of life to help control corruption.