Corruption delights

20th-04-2012

Despite the timely budget, the government spending to the expected degree has not materialized even by the 10th month of the current fiscal year. The budget had sought to make the economy more vibrant with extensive economic activities, but it did not work. This is indeed a serious matter, and something which requires immediate remedial measures. However, the secretaries of the various ministries have pledged to do the needful so that spending is expedited on the development activities. That it took them so long to take the necessary step cannot be excused. The Finance Ministry had the target to spend around Rs. 65 billion of the total capital budget of Rs. 72.61, but it failed miserably to do so for by the end of the third quarter of this fiscal year, the government spending reached only 34.1 per cent, that is an amount of only Rs. 24.78 billion including 22.11 billion on cash basis and Rs. 2 .67 billion on non- cash basis. At a time when the country is supposed to be ameliorating the lot of the people through rapid economic transformation through the spending on development activities, the government and also the leaders of the various political parties seem to be the least concerned, with politicking being their priority at the expense of development activities.

Meanwhile, it is found that the District Development Committees (DDCs) are openly found disregarding government rules and regulations. Despite Local Development Ministry letters warning them about the irregularities taking place in the local bodies, they apparently have not paid heed. Among the malpractices of the DDCs are the allocation of budgets against the laws, and the misuse of development funds. The DDCs have ignored the warning and more disconcertingly, they have gotten away with them. This goes to show that the corrupt practices are rampant at the local level at the cost of development activities. All this goes to show that the government has not been able to punish the errant DDCs, which are escaping with corrupt practices. Examples of such practices are providing fuel for ministers’ vehicles, and helping organize conventions of the various political parties. This present scenario can be attributed to the absence of elected representatives in the local bodies. It has been about a decade since we had such representatives, which is contributing to the fuelling of the problem of irregularities.


Thinking LPG

It paints a rosy picture that the Gas Dealers Federation of Nepal has initiated the distribution of consumer cards to its customers. The idea of a consumer card is quite encouraging. But, the fact remains that the government or rather the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has to guarantee that a consumer card will guarantee a family eight LPG cylinders a year. It might sound as a magic solution to the never-ending shortage of cooking gas in the market. To think of it, even after the latest gas scarcity that started in November last year, barely any progress has been made in making the supplies normal.

In fact, the distribution in the market depends on the amount of LPG imported. If the imports do not meet the demands, there will always be a shortage. Moreover, the lack of alternatives for cooking gas are nowhere in sight. Electricity is not dependable because of the loadshedding, and for tapping solar power the installation costs are too high, and the only fuel left for cooking is LPG. If there is subsidy provided to the installation of solar power panels, more people could be persuaded to own them. However, for the present it is LPG, the supply of which must be ensured.


In a similar vein, the failure to appoint the chief of the CIAA has only added fuel to the fire. It has been years since the Chief Commissioner of the CIAA was appointed. The CIAA is now a toothless tiger lacking a head. The CIAA plays an important role in checking corruption and has in the past succeeded in nailing high government officials for corruption. Thus, taking this into consideration, the step taken by the Supreme Court directing the government to administer the oath of office to Keshav Baral is appropriate. Incidentally, Baral had been appointed CIAA Commissioner two years ago. That the apex court means business is that this should be done even if it means amending the existing act. Himal..