The Anti-Corruption Commission’s advocacy and thematic sessions for Local government officials over the years have been successful. According to the commission, this is evident in its annual report. According to the ACC annual report 2022-2023, for the first time in four years, corruption reports against gewog administrations saw a substantial decrease. The decrease is attributed to their advocacy and thematic sessions.
The Anti-Corruption Commission, in its step towards curbing corruption in the country, has emphasized awareness programmes.
One such programme is the sensitization organized for Local Government officials. The ACC officials yesterday met with the gewog and district officials in Chhukha.
According to the ACC officials, such sensitization programmes are important for the local government officials who frequently interact with the people.
“We are organizing the programme for the LG officials as they deal directly with people. Also, most of the time, the highest number of complaints are registered against them concerning the administration, lack of transparency and accountability,” said Kinzang Gyeltshen, Senior Research Officer of ACC.
Local government officials said it will help them understand and curb corruption in the country.
“I have never attended such a programme before so this is a great opportunity for all of us. To curb corruption in the country, all of us have to work together. We also have to let people understand corruption and avoid corrupt practices. We have to keep in mind what we learned today and work with integrity,” said Kinley Dorji, the Geling Gup.
“This is my first time attending this kind of meeting. This meeting is beneficial, especially for first-timers like us. Also, I feel the meeting is important because sometimes, what we call corrupt practices are not done intentionally. It sometimes happens unknowingly without our knowledge,” said Tshering Penjor, the Bongo Gup.
Officials from the ACC presented ways to strengthen Local governance through ethics, integrity, and professionalism. The ACC annual report 2022-2023 recorded 26 corruption reports against gewog administrations. The ministries constituted the highest number of corruption reports at 39.
Meanwhile, as per the report, district wise, Chhukha saw the second highest corruption reports after Thimphu.
Kinley Dem, Phuentshogling
Edited by Phub Gyem
