As a national strategy to prevent corruption in the country, Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering launched the National Integrity and Anti-Corruption Strategy (NIACS) 2019-2023 yesterday in Thimphu. It is a strategic framework to realise 12th National Key Result Area, ‘Corruption Reduced,’ in the current Plan.
The NIACS is the third strategy adopted since 2009 and has been built on past strategies.
For the successful implementation of the strategy, for the first time, a national committee called the National Integrity Committee has been formed chaired by the prime minister. The committee will be the highest forum on integrity and anti-corruption and will introduce policies and programs to promote integrity in the country. It will comprise members from the judiciary, constitutional bodies, private sector and civil society organisation establishing a strong alliance against corruption.
“One thing that I will not be able to tolerate is corruption. It doesn’t really matter in what shape and size, it doesn’t really matter in the amount as long as the intent is wrong, that will not be acceptable,” the Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering said.
In addition, all the agencies will be expected to incorporate the mandatory indicator of corruption reduction in their respective Annual Performance Agreement and target. This will be monitored, reviewed and reported to the National Integrity Committee.
