Kathmandu, Jan. 5 :President of the Nepali Congress and former prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala has said that religious thinking and the strength of morality are the only tools to combat corruption which is an unseen force.
Inaugurating a symposium on strategy development against corruption organised by the social justice society, Lamjung here today, he observed that such moral force could materialised through unison between government, political statesmanship and religious institutions.
Corruption has reached a peak as a result of the prevailing trend of attaining office and power by any means whatever and an attitude that everything is allowed in this quest, he said and expressed concern that the norms of democracy as well as the image of the country may suffer in the absence of any control measures.
Expressing the view that commission-taking in itself is not corruption but is a source of corruption, he noted that commissions need to be made transparent through registration and by formulating a legal framework.
Minister of State for Labour Ram Bahadur Gurung noted that the political parties have to take initiative in controlling corruption.
General secretary of the Nepali Congress Sushil Koirala said that corruption leaves no trail and hence those involved cannot be brought to court and emphasised that a political figure has to dare to resign from his post to prove himself clean if questions are raised about his integrity.
Lawmaker Haribhakta Adhikari, from the chair, said that corruption has become deep rooted since there is a general opinion that lawmaker is the greatest who can spent most during election time.
Vice chairman of the society Dikendra Kandel shed light on the objectives of the programme.
Expressing their views at the second session, former speaker and lawmaker Ramchandra Paudel underlined the need for integrity and nationalism in the present context marked by a crisis of mutual confidence and said that political leaders themselves can wipe out corruption by disposing of their duties without fear for their posts.
Presenting a working paper at the symposium, former speaker Daman Nath Dhungana said that a prime minister has a significant role in controlling corruption and this post should be protected from the clutches of corruption which are bolstered in a fragile environment in which he has to seek protection from his own party.
Dr. Bal Gopal Baidhya, presenting a paper on strategy for creating public awareness against corruption and relevant information for it said that financial embezzlement in the government amounts to around Rs. 70 billion per year.
Prof. Kapil Shrestha and vice chairman of Transparency International Ramesh Dhungel commented on the papers.
The symposium held with a view to find ways for curbing corruption and frame suggestions was attended by some 50 persons including lawmakers, representatives from different political parties and intellectuals.