RATNANAGAR, Chitwan, May 31): Minister for Home Affairs Ram Bahadur Thapa has insisted on launching a sting operation against the corrupt people.
Addressing the first national gathering of Nepal Federation of Photo Journalists (NFPJ) at Sauraha of Chitwan on Thursday, the Home Minister urged the journalists to go against the corrupt and middlemen as they were impeding the development and prosperity of the country.
"It is necessary to launch a sting operation against those people mired in corruption who have sucked the country's economy hollow, whether they be in the courts or in various organisations or from different professions," he said.
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Minister Thapa said it is necessary to make the photos of illicit drug peddlers, tax and revenue evaders, middlemen, smugglers and bureaucrats and capitalists who are committing corruption and anti-national. He drew the attention of the photojournalists to this need.
The Home Minister urged the journalists to write against the capitalists who bring black money without work and also suggested making public the photo of contractors who are against development. But those contractors who are contributing to the welfare of the society and the country's development should be promoted, he added.
He also stressed that journalism should be for the development and prosperity of the country, saying the government was ready to work in collaboration with the journalists.
CPN leader and former Finance Minister Surendra Pandey said corruption is a key barrier to prosperity. He also said no one could seize the rights of journalists in democracy, while urging them to focus on economic development.
Acting President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists Bipul Pokharel recognised the role of photo journalists for a country change. The government should take a policy decision recognising the role of media in the course of prosperity plan being devised.
FNJ Vice President Dilip Thapa Magar drew the attention of the government to an instance wherein the state bars photo journalists from taking a picture, stressing press freedom.
The gathering will also make public a Sauraha declaration today itself, said NFPJ treasurer Ratna Shrestha. Photo journalists and representatives from most of NFPJ's branches in 52 districts have participated in the meeting. (Photo available)
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