During today’s discussion on the review report of the Anti-Corruption Commission’s Annual Report 2023-2024 in the National Council, the establishment of a separate bench for corruption cases was once again recommended. The council’s Good Governance Committee proposed this measure. The committee suggested that these benches be established in districts and regions based on the prevalence of corruption cases.
The chairperson of the Good Governance Committee said that the proposed bench would aim to resolve the issue of prolonged corruption trials, ensuring that individuals receive justice quickly.
Sonam Tobgyel, Chairperson of the Good Governance Committee said “The judiciary has expressed their opinion on the importance of a separate bench for corruption cases as well as a regional High Court. However, in today’s report, we have only recommended the need for a separate bench for corruption cases in general.”
To this, Paro’s National Council Member Ugyen Tshering expressed reservations about the recommendation, questioning its practicality. He said that in the previous years, the National Assembly’s Good Governance Committee made the same recommendation.
However, the proposal could not be implemented due to budget constraints and limited human resources.
“If the parliament comes to the agreement of setting up the bench, it is better not to do it in every district. Initially, we could not even establish one in a region due to budget constraints and limited human resources. So, honestly, doing it in every district is not feasible. So, I am not in favour of this recommendation.”
In response, the committee’s chairperson said that the relevant stakeholders have expressed the need and readiness for a separate bench.
Sonam Tobgyel, the Chairperson said “This recommendation will immensely help the people dealing with corruption cases. The relevant stakeholders agreed and approved the recommendation since their hope is to deliver judgments quickly.”
According to the review report, during the reporting year, 66 cases, including 28 carried over from the previous year, were opened for investigation.
Of these, 45 were completed and 26 were forwarded to the OAG for prosecution. 12 were referred for administrative action, six were closed, and one is pending, resulting in a clearance rate of 68.2 per cent. Investigations for 21 cases remain ongoing.
Nearly 140 individuals including civil servants, corporate employees and armed personnel were implicated.
The highest offences involved embezzlement and passive bribery.
Financial restitution sought amounted to more than Nu 87 M.
The House deliberated extensively on the four recommendations proposed by the Good Governance Committee. The National Council will adopt the report on Thursday.
Tashi Dekar
Edited by Tshering Zam
