𝐌𝐏𝐬 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐜𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬

…𝑵𝑨 𝒖𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒂𝒄𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒏𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒊-𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒖𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒆𝒇𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒔

By Lhendup Wangmo

Members of Parliament (MPs) in the National Assembly (NA) called for reforms aimed at providing compensation and rehabilitation for individuals acquitted in corruption cases or whose cases are dismissed, during the review of the 2023-2024 Annual Report of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The ACC’s report for the fiscal year 2023-2024 give prominence to that 101 individuals were charged with corruption, with 87 convicted, six acquitted, and eight cases deferred.

The ACC report also highlights concerns over limited funding, staff shortages, and high attrition rates within the Commission, all of which undermine its effectiveness. In just six months, the ACC lost 18 employees, resulting in an attrition rate of 17.9 percent, the highest recorded to date. The Commission currently has 141 employees.

Lhakpa Tshering Tamang, the chairperson of the Good Governance Committee, presented the report. Deputy Speaker Sangay Khandu forcibleness the urgent need for reforms, particularly to protect those who are acquitted. He noted that individuals who are cleared of charges often endure interrogations, detentions, and suspensions without any form of compensation or legal recourse. “This gap is not reflected in the law, but it should be addressed,” Deputy Speaker said.

Thrimshing-Kangpara MP, Damche Tenzin accentuate the importance of implementing measures to support those found innocent, who frequently face mental and societal challenges. “When an individual is acquitted, their rehabilitation and protection must be a priority,” he said.

The National Assembly recommended that the Good Governance Committee submit a report in the next session detailing compensation and rehabilitation measures for those acquitted or whose cases are dismissed by the courts.
Furthermore, the Assembly called for the expansion of online services to streamline processes, reduce the risk of corruption, and increase transparency in service delivery.

The House also recommended that the National Assembly collaborate with the National Council to form a joint parliamentary committee to review the ACC’s annual report as well as the National Integrity Assessment Reports.
Additionally, the Good Governance Committee was tasked with compiling a detailed report on corruption-related judgments, restitution efforts, and asset recovery, which should be presented in the next session.

The Committee also recommended increased public education and awareness programs to promote transparency and integrity, alongside allocating sufficient budget and human resources to the ACC. The success of anti-corruption efforts, the Committee noted, is dependent on strong political will and adequate resources.

In an effort to combat electoral corruption, the Committee proposed that the ACC work with the Election Commission of Bhutan to enable polling at residents’ places of residence, with facilitation booths set up in every Dzongkhag during national elections and by-elections.

The House also called for the greater empowerment of law enforcement and regulatory agencies as key players in maintaining integrity, along with the strengthening of accountability and oversight mechanisms to prevent corruption in revenue collection.

The National Assembly endorsed all of the recommendations, with 38 members voting in favor, two abstaining, and one voting against, out of 41 members present and voting.