By Narayan Prasad Mishra
Cabinet members hold power on behalf of the people—not for personal, party, or private gain. Their legitimacy derives from their commitment to the common good. When laws are ambiguous, and decisions must be made, the cabinet is expected to act in the national interest, prioritizing public welfare over partisan or personal agendas. In no way is the cabinet authorized to make decisions that are against the benefit of the country and its people.
It is the moral and constitutional duty of the cabinet to ensure that its decisions:
- Serve the national interest
- Uphold public welfare
- Respect democratic values
- Avoid self-interest or partisan advantage
Discretionary power should exist to solve urgent or complex national problems—not to exploit legal loopholes for private deals or political survival. Poor decisions made under vague legal frameworks can set dangerous precedents, undermining governance and encouraging future corruption.
Unfortunately, in countries where power holders are irresponsible, unethical, or self-serving—as is increasingly the case in Nepal—discretionary authority is regularly abused. Cabinet decisions often reflect personal enrichment, party loyalty, cronyism, and short-term political survival rather than sound governance. Still, they think this is their unconditional, absolute right in the guise of policy formation.
This leads to:
- Misuse of national resources
- Public distrust
- Corruption scandals
- Weakening of democratic institutions
Cabinet as a Tool of Corruption
Cabinet meetings are supposed to serve as the country’s highest decision-making forums, guiding development, security, and diplomacy. Yet, in Nepal, many decisions are based not on national interest but on political bargaining, greed, and collusion with business groups.
According to the talk of the town and news appeared, for example:
- Hydropower projects, road construction, and infrastructure contracts are frequently awarded not through transparent, competitive bidding but as political favors.
- Land acquisitions, tax waivers, and diplomatic appointments are manipulated to benefit insiders.
- Cabinet decisions are often made without proper cost-benefit analysis, legal vetting, or public consultation.
Notorious Corruption Scandals Rooted in Minister and Cabinet-Level Abuse
Several recent scandals exemplify how deeply embedded corruption has become at the minister and cabinet level:
Fake Bhutanese Refugee Scam
In this outrageous scheme, senior political figures—including former ministers—were implicated in a plan to send Nepali citizens abroad by falsely identifying them as Bhutanese refugees. The scam exploited cabinet-level access to diplomatic and administrative systems, illustrating how power was abused to enable organized crime.
Cooperative Scam
Thousands of depositors were defrauded of billions of rupees when cooperative leaders—with political protection—embezzled funds. Despite the widespread harm, high-level political actors faced no real accountability. The investigations were delayed, diluted, and politically manipulated.
Baluwatar Land Grab Scandal
Government land in Baluwatar was transferred illegally to private entities with close political ties. Cabinet-level decisions were allegedly used to retroactively legalize these transactions, converting an executive body into a rubber stamp for corruption.
Patanjali Yogpeeth Land Corruption Scandal
In one of the most recent and controversial cases, the government facilitated the transfer of vast land tracts to Patanjali Yogpeeth—a foreign-linked organization with significant political patronage—at nominal prices and under questionable circumstances. The land, initially meant for forest and public use, was handed over through cabinet decisions that bypassed proper legal and environmental scrutiny. Public outrage followed revelations of non-transparent processes, undue influence, and possible quid pro quo arrangements with political leaders. This case exemplifies how cabinet decisions can be manipulated to benefit specific private or foreign interests at the expense of national sovereignty and public trust.
Giribandhu Tea Estate Land Corruption Scandal
The Giribandhu Tea Estate in Jhapa, one of Nepal’s oldest and most iconic tea plantations, was embroiled in a major land corruption scandal. Initially designated for agricultural and industrial use, parts of the estate were illegally parceled out and transferred to private parties under cabinet-level decisions. Political actors and their affiliates are alleged to have colluded in undervaluing the land and changing its classification to enable profitable resale. This scandal not only compromised public assets but also raised alarms about the role of the cabinet in legitimizing large-scale land fraud.
A picture from YouTube regarding the Patanjali Yogpeeth Land Corruption Scandal
Impunity and Politicized Accountability
One of the most disturbing aspects of Nepal’s corruption landscape is the near-total impunity enjoyed by powerful individuals. Even when scandals are exposed, consequences are rare. Investigations are often suppressed or compromised due to political pressure.
According to the router, institutions designed to uphold accountability—like the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA)—are perceived as biased and selective, targeting rivals while shielding allies. Parliamentary committees are divided along party lines, making genuine oversight nearly impossible.
As a result, the cabinet has often been alleged as a theater of political compromise and elite collusion, not a guardian of national interest.
The Way Forward: Structural Reform and Political Will
Combating cabinet-level corruption requires systemic changes and political courage:
- Transparency in Decision-Making
- Cabinet minutes must be published.
- Significant decisions should be subject to public disclosure and legal review.
- Institutional Oversight
- Strengthen the independence of the judiciary, parliament, and anti-corruption agencies.
- Remove political interference in investigations and appointments.
- Legal Safeguards
- Enact laws that criminalize abuse of power—whether by the prime minister, ministers, or top bureaucrats—when decisions are made against national interest under the guise of policy or development.
- Civil Society Empowerment
- Support media, activists, and whistleblowers through legal protection and institutional collaboration.
International Accountability
Involve international agencies in tracing illicit cross-border financial flows.
Corruption in cabinet decision-making is not just a moral failure—it is a direct betrayal of democracy. When the highest executive body becomes an instrument of personal or party gain, it signals to the rest of government and society that dishonesty pays and accountability is optional.
Nepal’s democratic and developmental future depends on structural reforms, ethical leadership, and the courage to hold the powerful accountable. Without this, our Constitution will remain an unfulfilled promise, and our people will continue to suffer at the hands of those elected to serve them.
We all should have a standard view of the following points.
- Uphold the spirit of the Constitution and principles of democratic accountability.
- Disclose decisions transparently and justify them in terms of public benefit.
- Enforce strict conflict-of-interest rules.
- Criminalize the misuse of power—by prime ministers, ministers, bureaucrats, and heads of constitutional bodies—when their actions harm the nation or betray public trust.
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