Kathmandu March 4

The government today stated that it would focus on good governance and punish corrupt civil servants.

According to sources, Minister of Home Affairs Ram Bahadur Thapa, Minister of Finance Yubaraj Khatiwada, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Matrika Yadav have been collecting data on corrupt government employees in their respective ministries.

Minister for Population and Environment Lalbabu Pandit has already started taking action against erring officials and private institutions.

According to a minister, PM Oli and Dahal have directed ministers that they can act against  corrupt staff in their respective ministries.

Ministers have been talking to bureaucrats, political appointees and security officers to get information about corrupt officials.   According to a source, Oli and Dahal have been trying to induct Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal in the government so as to ensure two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives which they believe will add to stability and lead to good governance and development.

The government is planning to announce white paper on the financial and political status and its new policy and programmes. The left alliance task force led by CPN-UML Vice-chairman Bamdev Gautam has already drafted its common minimum programme in line with the party’s electoral manifesto. The left alliance’s election manifesto had prioritised stability, good governance and economic growth. The parties in their manifesto had pledged to boost the country’s per capita income to $5000 within a decade. But the government had decided to request the United Nations Committee for Development policy not to upgrade Nepal from least developed country to the league of developing nations until 2021 four days ago.

The government decided to delay the graduation as the country still needs concessional foreign aid and routes for trade to boost per capita income swiftly.

Under the theme of Peace, Democracy, Sovereignty and Dignity, the manifesto says justice and prosperity figure at the top of the ‘communist plan’. The alliance had said in the manifesto that communist leadership is necessary to ensure prosperity based on socialism.

The state shall take leadership position in ensuring national independence, universalism, geographical integrity, national security, border defense, harmonious international relations, and development of infrastructure of national importance, education, health, drinking water, social security and environmental sectors, according to the manifesto.

“Participation of the private sector in all organs of the national economy shall be encouraged. Investment-friendly environment, labour-friendly relations and security of investment and profit will be ensured. Public-private partnership will also be given utmost priority,” read the manifesto.

Sources said the Ministers are collecting data on the corrupt officials.

The left alliance had given the slogan of stability, good governance and economic prosperity in the provincial and parliamentary elections.

“The federal government would focus on good governance, stability and development,” CPN-Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal told a group of media persons after meeting  Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli at the Parliament building in New Baneshwor today.

In response to a question, Dahal said that the government would start its work by ensuring good governance. PM Oli and Dahal had publicly said that they would adopt zero tolerance towards corruption.