Kathmandu, August 1
Lawmakers of various parties on Tuesday have accused the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority, the constitutional anti-corruption watchdog, of failing to catch big fish and concentrating on small-scale irregularities.
After the CIAA Chief Deep Basnyat explained achievements of his office in past one year in front of members of the Good Governance and Monitoring Committee in Parliament today, the lawmakers expressed their dissatisfaction with the performance.
Some lawmakers said the CIAA was silent on corruption cases involving leaders of big political parties.
CPN-Maoist Centre lawmaker Aman Lal Modi said citizens could not feel good governance unless leaders involved in corruption would be booked.
Basnyat, however,did not accept the charges. “Those embezzling Rs 1 are also criminals like those embezzling Rs 1 billion,” he said, “There is no division between big and small-scale corruption. We will take action against anyone working against the law.”
Meanwhile, the official complained that the 2015 constitution narrowed down jurisdiction of the constitutional body.
He demanded that the Commission be allowed to investigate into corruption in the private sector as well as NGOs and INGOs.
