KATHMANDU, Feb 11: President Ram Chandra Paudel has said that abuse of authority is not a minor mistake but a serious threat to state legitimacy and social justice.
Addressing a special programme organised in Kathmandu on Wednesday to mark the 35th Establishment Day of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), President Paudel stressed that the constitutional anti-graft body must effectively discharge its responsibilities to ensure good governance.
He said authorised state bodies should work in a manner that assures citizens that no one can evade legal accountability on the pretext of power or position.
“Abuse of authority is not only a violation of the law but also a serious blow to citizens’ trust, faith and future. It damages the bridge of trust between the state and its people,” the President said.
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He warned that when public power is used for personal interests, both the state’s trust in citizens and citizens’ trust in the state weaken. “It breeds mistrust in the rule of law, erodes confidence in the legal system and undermines the fundamental values of democracy,” he added.
President Paudel said corruption can be eradicated if the greed for power, position and wealth is controlled. He noted that corruption can be effectively prevented when good conduct, integrity, impartiality, transparency and fearlessness are embraced as guiding principles.
Calling for reforms, he said greater effectiveness is needed in policy, methods, technology and public attitudes, along with the institutionalisation of discipline and ethical conduct.
Stating that accessible and efficient public service delivery and the proper implementation of the Constitution through good governance are the core aspirations of the Constitution, the Head of State said the public has repeatedly raised these concerns.
He said the recent youth movement reflected such aspirations and urged authorities not to ignore these voices.
The President emphasised that the fight against corruption is not the responsibility of a single institution but a shared duty of all state bodies, political leadership, the bureaucracy and civil society. He said meaningful results can be achieved only through joint commitment and coordinated action.
“The struggle against the abuse of authority is ultimately a struggle for justice, equality and good governance. Through this struggle, we can restore citizens’ trust in the system, strengthen democracy and hand over a clean, competent and reliable state to future generations,” he said.
Strong political will is the first prerequisite for combating corruption, President Paudel added, expressing confidence that positive changes in the work culture of political leaders would also encourage greater accountability and integrity within the administrative sector.
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