Administrative Accountability in Nepal
Introduction to Administrative Accountability
“Responsibility without accountability leads to arbitrariness, while accountability without responsibility is ineffective.”
Administrative accountability refers to the obligation of officials in administrative roles to take responsibility for the outcomes of their duties and decisions related to public interest, and to address stakeholders’ queries. Scholar M.M.E. Loe defines it as:
“The obligation to provide the public with opportunities to review the decisions and actions of administrative officials and to offer clarifications for related queries.”
Accountability, a key pillar of good governance, prevents arbitrary actions and protects citizens’ rights. It involves explaining the why, when, where, how, and outcomes of administrative decisions.
Efforts to Enhance Administrative Accountability in Nepal
Nepal has made several efforts to strengthen administrative accountability:
- Current Legal Framework: Accountability provisions are scattered across laws and the constitution.
- Nepal’s Interim Constitution, 2063:
- Ends corruption and impunity to ensure good governance, with strict actions against illegal wealth accumulation.
- Article 38(6): The Prime Minister and ministers are collectively accountable to the Legislature-Parliament, and ministers are individually accountable for their ministries.
- Civil Service Act, 2049:
- Aims to make the civil service capable, robust, service-oriented, and accountable.
- Includes employee conduct rules, accountability to supervisors, management audits, and inspections.
- Good Governance Act, 2064:
- Requires duties to be performed within specified conditions and timelines.
- Includes citizen charters and public hearings.
- Audit Act, 2048: Establishes financial accountability.
- Public Procurement Act, 2063, and Rules, 2064: Ensures accountability in procurement.
- Institutional Arrangements:
- Focal points and nodal officers in offices.
- Increased activity by the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA).
- Parliamentary committees directing ministries for accountability.
- Support from press, media, and donor agencies.
Measures to Enhance Administrative Accountability
Despite efforts, Nepal’s public administration faces accusations of arbitrariness and lack of transparency. To enhance accountability, the following measures are recommended:
- Increase public access through awareness programs, local elections, and decentralization.
- Create opportunities for public participation in monitoring and evaluation.
- Develop structures for grassroots approval of programs.
- Prioritize local needs to foster support and accountability.
- Ensure transparency in government operations and decision-making.
- Develop political will and commitment.
- Foster an active civil society.
- Implement effective investigation mechanisms.
- Adopt modern accounting, audits, and financial planning.
- Embrace open information systems, transparency, frugality, equality, administrative and political commitment, adequate resources, and an informed civil society.
