Kazakhstan: President instructed to develop a plan to eradicate corruption
The main priority of the state policy of Kazakhstan should be an uncompromising fight against corruption. This statement was made by the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the meeting on combating corruption.
As the head of state noted in his speech, despite the measures taken in the field of combating corruption, there are no cardinal changes in this area.
“An effective fight against corruption is unthinkable without purely law enforcement work. For many years, it was just catching bribe-takers red-handed without immersion into the topic. Different people were denounced in the same positions for solving the same issues. Corrupt officials were regularly caught and sent to jail, and no one was particularly interested in the reasons and conditions due to which corruption was rampant. Only in recent years has there been a move away from this practice,” Tokayev stressed.
As an illustrative example, he cited the agricultural sector, to which more than $4.5 billion was allocated from the budget over the past two years.
“During the same time, 960 crimes were registered in this area, 450 persons were brought to criminal responsibility. This area has been subject to corruption for many years. Because of this, the state suffered great damage, food security was undermined. In particular, of the $184 million allocated for irrigation of pastures, half was spent for other purposes. Last year, when there was a drought, the peasants couldn’t find fodder, there was a loss of cattle. In some regions, farmers were given solar panels as subsidies. To be honest, no one thought about what the villagers needed. In order to report that the subsidies had been disbursed, the prices for these solar panels were indicated in multiples. All this happened because of the irresponsibility of the authorized bodies. The Ministry of Agriculture and mayors should be responsible for allowing such embezzlement,” Tokayev said.
He also noted that now, on his instructions, the relevant departments are preparing the Concept of Anti-Corruption Policy, the ultimate goal of which is to form a society free from corruption.
“Particular attention should be paid to the fight against corruption in the customs sphere, construction, education and healthcare sectors. Responsible ministries need to develop a plan to eradicate corruption in these areas on a systematic basis. I instruct you to carefully work over and present this plan at the end of the first quarter. All activities must be coordinated with the Anti-Corruption Agency. I will also evaluate the work of the heads in the competent authorities in terms of the fight against corruption,” the President summed up.
