Nepal’s Second National Anti-Corruption Strategic Plan (2082/83–2087/88): Vision, Objectives and Strategic Pillars

Question: Highlight the major constitutional provisions for the prevention and control of corruption in Nepal. Also, explain the vision, objectives, and strategic pillars of the Second National Anti-Corruption Strategic Plan (2082/83–2087/88) recently introduced by the Government of Nepal.

1. Introduction

Corruption refers to the misuse of public office, authority, or entrusted power for personal or private gain. It is often regarded as a white-collar crime that undermines public trust, weakens institutions, distorts resource allocation, and obstructs good governance and national development.

Nepal has adopted various constitutional, legal, institutional, and programmatic measures to prevent and control corruption. In this context, the Constitution of Nepal provides the foundation for accountable governance, independent investigation, and public financial oversight. Furthermore, the Government of Nepal has formulated the Second National Anti-Corruption Strategic Plan (2082/83–2087/88) in response to changing political, economic, social, and digital circumstances.

2. Major Constitutional Provisions for the Prevention and Control of Corruption

The major constitutional provisions relating to corruption prevention and control are as follows:

a. Good Governance and Clean Public Administration — Article 51(b)

The Constitution directs the State to make public administration clean, competent, impartial, transparent, corruption-free, accountable, and participatory. It also emphasizes ensuring equal and easy access to public services and facilities as a means of promoting good governance.

b. Control of Corruption and Irregularities — Article 51(t)

The Constitution requires the State to adopt effective measures to control corruption and irregularities in the political, administrative, judicial, social, and other sectors.

c. Judicial Council — Article 153

The Constitution provides for a Judicial Council to make recommendations or provide advice on matters relating to the appointment, transfer, disciplinary action, and dismissal of judges, as well as other matters concerning the administration of justice.

d. Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority — Article 239

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) is constitutionally empowered to investigate, or cause to be investigated, corruption committed through the abuse of authority by persons holding public office, in accordance with the law.

e. Office of the Auditor General — Article 241

The Constitution provides for the audit of government offices and public bodies by the Auditor General, taking into consideration regularity, economy, efficiency, effectiveness, and propriety. This helps promote financial discipline, accountability, and the proper use of public resources.

3. Second National Anti-Corruption Strategic Plan (2082/83–2087/88)

After becoming a party to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), Nepal implemented the National Strategy and Action Plan against Corruption, 2069, to advance the implementation of the Convention. Considering changing national and international circumstances, the Government of Nepal has introduced the Second National Anti-Corruption Strategic Plan (2082/83–2087/88) to strengthen corruption prevention, institutional governance, transparency, accountability, and enforcement.

The major components of the strategic plan are as follows.

4. Long-Term Vision

The long-term vision of the strategic plan is:

“Building a prosperous nation free from corruption and founded on integrity.”

This vision emphasizes the establishment of a society in which public and private institutions uphold integrity, public resources are used responsibly, and governance is guided by ethical values and accountability.

5. Objectives of the Strategic Plan

The major objectives of the Second National Anti-Corruption Strategic Plan are as follows:

1. Legal and Institutional Reform: To amend and improve laws in line with national requirements and international standards for corruption control and public integrity, while strengthening institutional good governance across all three levels of government.

2. Digital Governance and Citizen Empowerment: To make public service delivery transparent, citizen-friendly, and accountable through digital technology and citizen empowerment, thereby fostering an ethical, civilized, integrity-oriented society and a prosperous nation.

3. Improvement of Asset Confiscation Mechanisms: To improve systems for the confiscation of assets associated with corruption and related offences across the public, private, non-governmental, and cooperative sectors.

4. Strengthening Investigation and Judicial Capacity: To develop technology-friendly infrastructure and specialized human resources to make scientific investigation and judicial determination more effective and results-oriented.

5. National and International Cooperation: To strengthen national and international coordination and mutual legal assistance for the effective implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption.

6. Strategic Pillars of the Plan

The strategic plan identifies five major strategic pillars.

Pillar 1: Policy and Plan Formulation and Institutional Good Governance

This pillar focuses on formulating and improving policies, plans, and legal frameworks while strengthening institutional governance and accountability mechanisms.

Pillar 2: Technology, Citizen Empowerment, Transparency, and Integrity

This pillar emphasizes the use of modern technology and citizen empowerment to promote awareness of responsibilities, accountability, and transparency in the fight against corruption. Its broader objective is to build an integrity-oriented society.

Pillar 3: Criminalization of Corruption and Effective Enforcement

This pillar focuses on improving the implementation of policies and legal provisions to criminalize corrupt practices across all sectors and ensure appropriate action where the State suffers financial loss or where undue benefits are offered, received, or obtained.

Pillar 4: Specialized Human Resources for Effective Law Enforcement

This pillar aims to develop competent and specialized human resources for the effective implementation of anti-corruption laws, particularly in investigation, prosecution, and legal defence.

Pillar 5: National and International Coordination and Cooperation

This pillar emphasizes coordination, cooperation, and reciprocity at national and international levels to ensure the effective implementation of UNCAC and other relevant legal provisions for preventing and controlling corruption.

7. Conclusion

Corruption is a major obstacle to good governance, public trust, and sustainable development. Its prevention and control require more than constitutional, legal, and institutional arrangements; they also demand strong political commitment, ethical conduct by public officials, effective law enforcement, transparent public administration, and active citizen oversight.

The Second National Anti-Corruption Strategic Plan (2082/83–2087/88) provides a strategic framework for strengthening institutional integrity, modernizing enforcement mechanisms, empowering citizens, and promoting national and international cooperation. Its effective implementation can contribute to building a more transparent, accountable, and corruption-resistant governance system in Nepal.

Exam Tip: For a descriptive PSC answer, organize the response into three main parts: 

(i) constitutional provisions, 

(ii) the strategic plan’s vision and objectives, and 

(iii) its five strategic pillars. Conclude by linking effective implementation with integrity, accountability, good governance, and sustainable development.