Nepal has ranked 146th in the Corruption Perception Index 2010 released by Transparency International (TI), the leading civil society organisation fighting corruption worldwide. With an index score of 2.2 out of 10, Nepal falls in the range of “highly corrupt” countries with Iran, Yemen, Libya, Cameroon, Haiti, Paraguay, and Ivory Coast sharing the same rank and score.

The index this year indicates an increase in the level of corruption since last year, as Nepal is shown to have slipped three ranks down. Results from 2009 and 2010 indicate that Nepal is South Asia’s second most corrupt country. Afghanistan is the region’s most corrupt, ranking at 176, whereas Pakistan is calculated to be less corrupt than Nepal, ranking 143rd.

Two weeks ago, the Nepal chapter of Transparency International decided to develop a national code of conduct aimed at checking corruption and irregularities in the country. TI Nepal decided to focus its activities on foreign assistance, development projects, fiscal discipline and revenue leakage.

The organisation is observing coming December 9 as the National Day against Corruption to garner national commitment and solidarity against corruption.

TI Nepal has recently elected former Attorney General Bishnu Bahadur KC its new Chairperson and former President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Ananda Raj Mulmi the Vice-chairperson. Srihari Aryal and Komal Chitrakar have been elected the General Secretary and Treasurer respectively.

Litterateur Ram Dayal Rakesh, former Election Commissioner Usha Nepal, Bharat Bahadur Thapa and Padmini Pradhananga have been elected as members of the Executive Committee.

Transparency International defines corruption as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain, and has been publishing an annual indices since 1995.

http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2010