KATHMANDU, JANUARY 1
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority has urged the Ministry of Home Affairs to amend the existing laws for the development of necessary standard to end political interference in security agencies.
The anti-graft body said the development and implementation of such a standard would help security bodies under the MoHA to pursue policy and procedural reforms to boost professionalism, investigative efficiency and morale of police personnel.
According to the 31st annual report (2020-21) of the CIAA, the MoHA also needs to create an enabling environment for all police personnel to enjoy promotion, transfer, training opportunity and career development in a free and fair manner.
As per the report, security bodies should be free from undue political interference.
It is critical for the MoHA to incorporate the subjects of ethics, morality and honesty in basic training programme for police personnel so that they are not lured into bribery.
"The MoHA needs to promote ethical culture and integrity within security bodies by incorporating such subjects into basic training materials.
It is also equally important for the MoHA to make the provisions of modern equipment and technology and innovative research in a bid to enhance the capacity of security bodies, while also making them committed to upholding human rights," the CIAA suggested.
The anti-graft body also stressed the need to mobilise the welfare fund of security bodies as per the interest of their employees.
According to the report, the welfare fund established with the objective of providing facilities to police personnel has proved to be profit-oriented.
The welfare fund should be used only for the purpose it was set up. Investment of the fund for business purpose is likely to give rise to financial irregularities.
The CIAA said the MoHA had installed 260 CCTVs on the border points for surveillance in the fiscal 2020-21 in response to its suggestions given in the last fiscal to curb smuggling and other illegal activities.
The CIAA had also urged the MoHA to strengthen internal control system of Nepal Police as plainclothes cops deployed for intelligence gathering and security personnel deputed to customs points were found to be involved in corruption.
A version of this article appears in the print on January 2, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
