Kathmandu. Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle said that laws and mechanisms related to money laundering should not be used as a means to achieve political objectives. If it is misused, it will be difficult for Nepal to get out of the gray list, he said.
Speaking at the meeting of the House of Representatives on Thursday, Minister Wagle mentioned that Nepal’s activities in the field of money laundering control are being closely monitored at the international level. He said, “We cannot get out of the gray list if issues like asset laundering are misused to fulfill political goals.” Therefore, it should not be taken forward as a political weapon.
Minister Wagle also clarified the confusion about the structure of the Asset Laundering Department. Stating that the department is not under the Authority Abuse Investigation Commission, but under the Ministry of Finance, he said, “The Asset Laundering Department is under the Ministry of Finance.” Earlier it was under the office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. At that time, the bad culture of political persecution was established by collecting complaints on a large scale. Now we are trying to improve it.
He said that it is also necessary to discuss the issue of establishing a separate ‘Economic Crime Authority’ like the authority in the future for the investigation of economic crimes. There should be a discussion on whether a separate investigation body for financial crimes can be created. But as Nepal is now in the gray list, it is necessary to strengthen the necessary legal system for the time being,” Minister Wagle said.