The National Assembly rejected the Good Governance Committee’s proposal to increase the punishment for false claims by public servants during the deliberation of the Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Bill at the National Assembly today.
Section 62 (2) of the Anti-Corruption Act 2011 states, “A public servant who is guilty of an offence under this section shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding two times the amount which was so claimed or value-based sentence.” However, the committee recommended amending it as “An offence under this section shall be a misdemeanour or value-based sentencing, whichever is higher.”
“The Anti-Corruption Commission said that they recommended it to have uniform sentence term like other sections of this Bill. But, it’s up to the members present here whether to keep it as it is or to change it as recommended,” Ugyen Dorji, the Chairperson of the Good Governance Committee informed the House.
“I feel that we should support the committee’s recommendation if we think that we should punish those who go against the law,” supported Karma Wangchuk, the Member of Parliament of Chhumig_Ura.
“If we do not support the committee’s recommendation, it is like we are encouraging or supporting people to practice false claims. If we want to curb corruption, we should support the recommendation by the committee and the Anti-Corruption Commission,” added Passang Dori (PhD), the Bartsham_Shongphu MP.
However, the majority of the members present were not in favour of the recommendation.
“Firstly, if one goes against the law, there should be proof. And if a civil servant is guilty of an offence, the person is terminated from his or her office. As per the Act, the person has to only pay the fine,” said Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering.
Similarly, Gangzur_Minjey MP Kinga Penjor said the punishment should be as per the offence.
And as per the directive of the house, the committee resubmitted their recommendations on five sections today. The deliberation on Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Bill will continue tomorrow.
Pema Seldon Tshering/Karma Wangdi/Tshering Zam
