ACC has already developed an online asset declaration system for easy and cost effective declarations, standardised the rules and will be demanding 100 percent compliance. It has been found that 87 percent of officials, who have not declared their assets, were gups, showing poor decentralisation monitoring.

The commission is also in the final stages of making a debarment rule to bar companies and individuals, especially in construction, who engage in corruption. “ACC has already drafted the rules, in coordination with the finance ministry, ministry of works and human settlement, construction development board, contractors and BCCI, all of whom are in the process of finalising the rules,” said Kezang. On the tradition of offering gifts, ACC will allow gifts within the value of Nu 1000 but all gifts will have to be declared. The gift committee’s assent is needed for the Nu 1000 worth gifts.

ACC will also be setting up its own internal mechanism to ensure proper enquiry in the event of any credible complaint against its own staff. The commission will also help in setting up an in-house corruption risk management system in different agencies to assess and prevent corruption internally. ACC will frame rules and systems to protect whistle-blowers who expose corruption.

Meanwhile, in the report, misuse of authority tops the list of 1,576 complaints, followed closely by embezzlement, collusion and nepotism since 2006. Misuse of government property, bribery and deception are also on the list. Of the above, 34 cases involving 196 people were investigated, according to Kezang Jamtsho. “35 percent of the sources are walk-in complaints, which is high for an investigative agency and shows trust in the agency.” Other sources are audit reports, letters and fax, anonymous complaints, phone calls and also proactive investigation by ACC.

The report shows that the main reason for delays and blockages in corruption cases was the slow legal and judicial system.

ACC takes an average of 72 working days to start an investigation, followed by 37 working days to complete it. The office of the attorney general then takes 52 days to register a case in court. This is followed by 195 days in dungkhag courts, 169 days in dzongkhag ones and 143 days in the high court.

“Generally cases forwarded to agencies need constant follow up by ACC which drains valuable resources” said the report. Agencies show a slow response with around 38% of the cases being forwarded to them for administrative action. Ten ministries took more then two months while few ministries, agencies and dzongkhags are yet to report their actions.

ACC since its inception in 2006 has recovered Nu 34.462 million, 63.03 acres of land from 34 cases and recommended policy corrections to three agencies.