The National Council (NC)’s Good Governance Committee recommended the house to give close attention to Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC)’s budget allocation.
The matter was discussed in the council sitting yesterday. Highlighting that sufficient financial resource is crucial for the ACC to curb corruption; the committee suggested providing necessary support and recommendation regarding its budgetary allocation.
The committee specified that the Gross National Happiness Commission (GNHC) has decreased the ACC’s budget to Nu 75m for the 12th plan. The ACC has proposed Nu 211m.
The commission in its report mentioned the need for assured annual budgetary allocation that is not dependent on the decision of the government of the day.
The National Council Member of Bumthang, Nima said: “The government allocates 0.2 per cent of the annual budget for ACC and most of it comes from development partners and in case of ACC, its Swiss Development Cooperation. Since cooperation is phasing out its support, the budget has to come from the government. Despite attempt to provide increased budget, the allocation for the last five years saw decrease.”
His views were backed by Dorji Khandu, the National Council Member of Gasa. “Government’s budget allocation is also decreasing with the development partner’s support phasing out. There is a huge gap between the proposed and the approved budget which is a cause of concern for us.”
MP Dorji Khandu added: “It is important to know the reason behind government’s decision as to why the budget was slashed. We must also have consultative meeting with relevant stakeholders.”
The Anti-Corruption Commission stated that the cut in the budget would affect its goal of achieving National Key Result Area, which primarily focuses on fight against corruption.
The Good Governance Committee’s Chairperson Tashi Wangmo said that GNHC has agreed to review the budget allocation after ACC requested it to consider a budget increase.
Besides budget allocation, the committee made another recommendation for the ACC to carry out intervention measures to address corruption allegations against Local Government and abuse of functions by public servants.
This is because, the ACC Annual Report of 2017 states that complaints against local governments continues to be the highest among other complaints.
The report also showed abuse of functions by public servants still remains to be predominant type of alleged corruption.
The Chairperson of the Upper House suggested the committee to work on the additional recommendations presented by the members. The house will re-deliberate on the recommendations.
