Pokhara, September 7

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) western Regional Office Pokhara Chief Bishwo Prakash Subedi today argued that society was influencing civil servants to take bribes.

Speaking at an interaction organised on the occasion of Civil Service Day in Pokhara today, Subedi underscored that the general public needed to lodge complaints at the concerned authority to curb growing irregularities and corruption in the country’s bureaucracy.

“Until we create an atmosphere in which an honest employee is lauded and a dishonest one is penalised, we can’t build up the confidence of an honest civil servant. Hence, civil servants, who are paid from the people’s taxes, should satisfy service seekers by extending fast and efficient delivery of services,” he said.

Acting western Regional Administrator Diwakar Bastola, said that District Administration Office Kaski itself, which is supposed to curb corruption, is plagued with irregularities. He also accused the Chief District Officers of being influenced by the under-the-table money.

Ananda Raj Mulmi, executive member of Transparency International Nepal, said businesspersons were accused of influencing bureaucrats until a few years back, but junior bureaucrats are involved in influencing their senior bosses for promotion and postings of their choice.

Police administration has been hit hard with this malpractice, he reasoned.

Assistant Chief District Officer Chandra Nath Gautam of Kaski said that chiefs of the offices should be more active and committed to curb corruption.