Kathmandu– Deputy and Minister for Urban Development, Prakash Man Singh, emphasized that the state must be more active in controlling corruption.
Addressing an event organized in Lalitpur on the occasion of International Anti-Corruption Day, Minister Singh stated that, with advancements in technology, the nature of corruption has become more sophisticated, requiring increased state participation. He added that, as an organized crime, corruption can even weaken democratic institutions.
Minister Singh further noted that corruption, by promoting bribery and illegal activities, can hinder economic development. He said that corruption affects the electoral system and causes political instability, stressing that a joint effort is needed to identify and address the problem.
Maintaining good governance and ensuring accessible service delivery to citizens is the state’s primary duty, and to achieve this, controlling corruption and promoting morality is essential, he added. He also called on all state mechanisms, bodies, and officials to fulfill their responsibilities with greater dedication in building a more civilized society through effective corruption control.
Deputy Minister Singh informed that, in order to control corruption and clarify the responsibilities of all three levels of government within the existing structure, the Nepal Government has decided to develop and implement the Second National Strategy and Action Plan Against Corruption.