KATHMANDU, March 19: Vowing to do away with the rampant corruption in the country, Prime Minister KP Oli has announced to keep all his cabinet colleagues under surveillance and threatened to sack right away any cabinet member found involved in any unscrupulous activity.
In his first directives to the ministers and senior bureaucrats on Sunday, the prime minister repeatedly mentioned the government’s policy of zero tolerance against corruption. “Governments of the past also talked about zero tolerance [against corruption], but that was not implemented,” he said. “The new government will root out corruption. It will not tolerate corruption.”
Prime Minister Oli asked all his ministers to maintain professional integrity. “We hear that when one becomes a minister, one’s family members engage in unscrupulous activities. Please stop such activities. You will be under surveillance. And, I will also be personally watching you. And if I find anything fishy, you will get no opportunity to make any excuse,” the prime minister said.
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All ministers, state ministers, chief secretary, secretaries and chiefs of the security agencies and the prime minister’s aides were present at the function organized at the Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. Arguing that his government was on a mission to spruce up Nepal’s image, Oli had asked all those in the decision making level to bring changes in their thinking.
Saying that the current government cannot afford to fail, Prime Minister Oli also directed all ministers and secretaries to work with full accountability. “We want to make Nepal free of beggars. Those spending their days begging on the streets will now have opportunities to support their families through employment,” he said.
Stating that the main objective of the government is to make Nepal prosperous and Nepalis happy, Prime Minister Oli directed the ministers and secretaries to mobilize all government resources to achieve the objective. “Everyone should to work in a planned manner to achieve this objective. You all must work in such a way that we get desired results,” he said.
The prime minister mentioned that Nepal which has abundant natural resources can no longer afford to stay poor. “The ministries should work in coordination with each other to achieve results. Do not work under pressure or influence of anyone and deliver services to the people in an efficient manner in accordance with the existing laws,” he further said.
In a separate context, Prime Minister Oli asked government employees to stop knocking the doors of political leaders for promotions and transfers. “Promotions and transfers won’t be carried out on the basis of political recommendations,” he said.
Prime Minister Oli also directed government officials to act tough to control the rampant practice of Hundi (illegal money transfer). “Do give special attention to Hundi transactions. We can raise billions in revenue if we are able to bring in the remittances through legal channels,” he added.
On the occasion, Prime Minister Oli said that the government will not tolerate any separatist and violent activities carried out by any groups. “We will absolutely not allow anyone to violate the laws. Any activities that undermine peace and stability will not be tolerated. The government won’t tolerate any communal, separatist, violent and illegal activity. Do bring those involved in such activities under the purview of the law,” he directed the chiefs of the security agencies.
