Bhutan least corrupt among SAARC members

Bhutan is the least corrupt among the South Asian partners, the new reports by Transparency International says.

The Corruption Perception Index 2013 ranks Bhutan 31 among 177 countries included in the corruption survey. With 0 representing most corrupt and 100 representing cleanest, Bhutan scored 63. Though Bhutan had received 63 points in 2012 as well, it was ranked 33.

Among other SAARC member states, Bangladesh is ranked 136, Sri Lanka 91, India 94, Nepal 116 and Pakistan 127 and Afghanistan 175.

Globally, both Denmark and New Zealand scored 91 points each to top the global ranking jointly.

The TI survey focused on abuse of power, misappropriation of public fund, grand corruption at political and administrative levels and extracting extra money for public service at executive and judiciary institutions.

Data was collected from February 2011 to September 2013 with inputs from reports by Bertelsmann Transformation Index, Economist Intelligence Unit, Global Insight Country Risk Assessment, Political Risk Services International, World Bank Country Performance, World Economic Forum and World Justice Project.

In its statement, TI said, The Corruption Perceptions Index 2013 serves as a reminder that the abuse of power, secret dealings and bribery continue to ravage societies around the world.