The Anti-Corruption Commission’s (ACC) Annual Report 2024–2025 reveals a noticeable rise in corruption reports across several sectors, with finance, procurement, and public property emerging as the most vulnerable areas. This was shared today by the National Council’s Good Governance Committee during the introduction of the Review Report of ACC’s Annual Report 2024-2025.
During the session, the committee’s chairperson, MP Kencho Tshering, shared that the ACC received more than 360 corruption reports in the 2024–2025 financial year, an average of over 30 reports per month. This marks an increase from the previous year’s 322 reports.
Of the total, a little over 200 reports came from known sources, while 160 were submitted anonymously. The ACC’s website remained the most used reporting channel with over 160 submissions, followed by walk-ins with 100 reports.
Kencho Tshering, Chairperson of Good Governance Committee, National Council said, “Out of the 364 corruption reports received during the reporting year, 196 were closed with no further action. Out of remaining 168 reports, 39 corruption reports qualified for investigation, 29 shared for administrative action, nine shared for administrative inquiry, 73 shared for sensitization, and 18 shared for information enrichment.”
He added that finance-related complaints accounted for close to 60 reports, making it the most reported area, followed by procurement and contracts with over 30 and public property with nearly 25. Sectors such as sports and election-related matters saw very few or no complaints.
By agency, ministries had the highest number of corruption reports at over 45, followed by gewog administrations with around 30, and the private sector with more than 20.
The Chairperson of Good Governance Committee said that “If categories the corruption reports by offence, abuse of function accounted for the highest number of reports at 86, followed by embezzlement with 32. Bribery was the next most reported offence, with 18 cases.”
Thimphu saw the highest number of incidents, while Gasa and Pema Gatshel reported none.
The MP shared that during the reporting year, the ACC handled around investigation cases, including nearly 40 newly opened and over 20 carried forward. Of these, close t0 40 cases were completed, with around 25 forwarded for prosecution. The total restitution sought through ACC actions and subsequent court orders amounted to over Nu 57 M and almost half an acre of land.
A total of 485 individuals were implicated, excluding repeated appearances in the same case. The majority of the individuals involved were private employees, with close to 350 offenders, followed by civil servants with around 40 offenders. Similarly, by agency, majority of the offences were committed by the private sector, with around 365 individuals.
The MP shared that corruption is increasingly becoming normalised, particularly during elections, where penalties imposed by relevant authorities are perceived as insufficient deterrents.
The committee concluded by recommending stronger preventive systems in high-risk sectors, enhanced collaboration among law enforcement agencies, increased public awareness, and protection for media reporting on corruption. It emphasised that while Bhutan has made notable progress in global corruption rankings, the evolving complexity of corruption demands a unified response across institutions and society.
The deliberation will continue on Monday.
Tashi Dekar & Namgay Wangdi
Edited by Kipchu
