Prevention Division

The ACC Chairperson made a presentation on “Ethics Management” at Royal Institute of Management on 18th August 2010 as part of “Talk Series” organized by the RIM. Faculty members and trainees of the RIM, a representative from the RCSC (presence requested by the ACC) and three officers from the ACC attended the talk.

The first time ACC met with the armed forces was in 2007 with its special group to sensitize them on the forms, causes, vulnerabilities and costs of corruption and anti-corruption measures. The August 18 session focused on the National Anti-Corruption Strategy Framework (NACS): objectives, corruption scenario, complaints, strategic considerations and implementation modality.

Corruption generally occurs when systems and leadership are weak. Therefore, prevention of corruption through systems correction is an important anti-corruption strategy and is ACC’s priority. Systems correction can either be reactive (generally related to investigation) or proactive. Expertise in systems operations lies with agencies and not with the ACC. Agencies have to assume the proprietary role in strengthening their operating systems. ACC can only be a facilitator or a catalyst.

ACC made a formal presentation to the Ministry of Health on the systemic findings from the investigation into allegations of corruption against some health officials on August 11, 2010. The primary objective of the presentation was to highlight and sensitize the Ministry of Health on some key systemic weakness identified in the operation of the patient referral system which may have facilitated and encouraged officials to indulge in fraudulent and corrupt practices for over a decade.

Gist of the presentation is attached below.

The commitment of Phuentsholing City Corporation (PCC) to improve public services has manifested in its concerted efforts to assess and enhance its effectiveness. Streamlining and developing service standards, exploring the possibilities to use ICT and identifying general difficulties are some of them. The organization has also recognized the need for institutionalizing internal control measures, specifically, to prevent corruption, since corruption can certainly have serious bearing on any organization.

Any organization, including anti-corruption agencies, is susceptible to corruption. The risk of corruption is higher in organizations where there are no internal control measures. Even if such measures existed, it would be commonly surrounding financial matters.

 In preparation for the implementation of the NACS, the Internal Audit Unit of the Ministry of Health organized an internal meeting on 29^th July 2010.

As requested by the Zhung Dratshang, a team consisting of Mr. A.K Rinzin (Chief, Public Education Division), Mr. Tshewang Dorji (Chief, Prevention Division), Miss Dema Lhamo and Mr. Loday Tsheten met with Lopon Ugyen Penjor, Chief Auditor of the Zhung Dratshang at Tashichhodzong to discuss measures to prevent corruption in day to day management of Zhung Dratshang.

The following were some of the issues discussed during the meeting.

On the invitation of the Druk Air Corporation, a team from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) presented the Integrity Assessment report to the officials of the Corporation on 18th June 2010 at Paro. Led by Dasho Neten Zangmo, Mr. Loday Tsheten, Senior System Analyst, Mr. Phub Sangay, Chief Statistical Officer, NSB, and Mr. Tseyring Lhendup Namgyel, an intern from QUEST University, Canada, participated in the dialogue.

The commitment of Phuentsholing City Corporation (PCC) to improve public services has manifested in its concerted efforts to assess and enhance its effectiveness. The organization has also recognized the need for institutionalizing internal control measures, specifically, to prevent corruption.

Following the presentation of Integrity Assessment Report, 2009, pertaining to PCC on 26^th February 2010, the former had expressed its interest to collaborate with ACC to assess corruption risks and review its service delivery standards.