The newly appointed Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives, and Poverty Alleviation, Prof Dr Kumar Ingnam, has issued a stern warning against nepotism and administrative malpractice, pledging to serve the collective interest of the nation over individual favors.
Speaking at a felicitation event held at Kathmandu School of Law in Bhaktapur on Saturday, Minister Ingnam addressed a gathering organized by the Shreejang Raya Papo Samaj and the Ingnam Iwahang Papo Thobo Sangjumbho Ingnam Chelibeti Samaj. His address focused heavily on the ethical decay within Nepal’s policy-making levels, which he cited as the primary engine behind the country’s enduring poverty.
"I do not work for an individual or perform interest-driven work," Minister Ingnam stated firmly. "People at the policy-making level often engage in works involving conflicts of interest, giving rise to corruption in Nepal. Due to this conduct, the country could never rise from poverty."
Link between corruption and migration
The Minister drew a direct line between systemic corruption and the mass exodus of Nepali youth seeking opportunities abroad. He lamented that while Nepal is often revered as a "land of gods," the ethical standards of its leadership have often fallen into "demonic" patterns of greed.
Minister Ingnam appealed to his supporters and the general public to respect the integrity of his office, urging them not to pressure him into bypassing established legal frameworks for personal gain.
"Never coerce me into doing a work that involves a conflict of interest or one where my professional duties overlap with personal works," he added. "Do not coerce me to work by violating the existing rules."
From academia to governance
Dr Ingnam brings a deep legal background to his new role, having served as a professor at Kathmandu School of Law for nearly three decades. His appointment on December 12 comes at a critical time for the Ministry of Land Management, which has frequently been at the center of public scrutiny regarding land disputes and cooperative mismanagement.
By positioning himself as a guardian against "interest-driven" governance, the Minister aims to restore public trust in a ministry vital to the country's economic stability and poverty alleviation efforts.
Former Administrator, Mundhum Expert and Writer Bhagi Raj Ingnam, President of the Nepal Film Producer's Association, Udaya Subba among others were present at the felicitation program.
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