PM Dahal calls for accountability in state affairs

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has stressed the need for a system that holds individuals accountable for any damage caused to the State, ensuring they compensate for the loss incurred.

In a meeting held in Kathmandu today to review the implementation of the current fiscal year's policies and programmes, and budget, he emphasised the need for a system to assess the extent of national damage and loss due to decision-making reluctance and responsibility shifting.

He noted, "There's a growing mindset in the bureaucracy that one will face action for fulfilling responsibilities and will be spared if they don't. It's time we seriously reviewed this mindset. We need to be aware that such an attitude will ultimately impact our achievements and the protection and development of our political system."

According to him, the biggest challenges are failure to make timely decisions, shifting decision-making responsibility, and lack of initiative in inter-agency coordination. He highlighted the importance of making dynamic decisions and taking on a creative role abiding by the law.

He stated, "I've always said that no one should hesitate to make decisions within the parameters of existing Acts and regulations. I am committed to defending any decision made with good intentions by a public official and to protecting such officials. So, be prepared to play a dynamic and creative role."

He urged government officials to implement immediate reform measures by identifying the reasons and problems for not meeting set targets. He stressed the need to increase the implementation capacity of the entire administrative mechanism and to achieve the expected outcome within the set timeframe. He instructed government officials to deliver public services promptly, efficiently, and cost-effectively.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of a satisfactory answer as to why the outcome could not be achieved in line with the set target, PM Dahal questioned how long the tradition of sluggishness in carrying out work and shying away from responsibility, citing lack of budget, preparation, and human resources, would continue.

He observed, "Results have not been forthcoming due to the lack of harmony in policies and programmes, budget and plans. The increasing tendency of government ministries and other agencies not fulfilling performance as per the annual goals and indicators, and of political and administrative leaderships hesitating to take decisions, sends a negative message."

The Prime Minister said the result of the progress review has made the government serious and it is necessary to change the traditional working style. He stated that the targets set by the ministries themselves have not been implemented, and there is a doubt that the projection capacity, determination of priorities, resource mobilisation and expenditure capacity to achieve desired results would remain weak.

He highlighted the need for further collective efforts by the Finance Ministry, National Planning Commission and ministries to increase capital expenditure as well as for smooth operation of development projects and programmes. PM Dahal directed to carry out activities to achieve results, bearing full responsibility for effective implementation of projects.

(With inputs from RSS)