Rafiqul Islam

Introduction

Corruption is the most crucial problem in Bangladesh which has made the country one of the poorest in the world. It is corruption that has eaten up the core of the society, destroyed the country’s economy, politics and social values. People of our country have witnessed since independence that all governments in the past, its ministers, law makers, politicians, government officials, officials of various corporations and businessmen were involved in corruption. These corrupt people plundered our wealth and property at will by misusing their power and authority and became billionaires overnight. They built up their fortune at the expense of country’s development and the wellbeing of the people. Just after declaration of emergency and take over by the present caretaker government it is for the first time in the history of this country that high profile politicians, former ministers, lawmakers, bureaucrats and businessmen who were otherwise perceived to be above the law have been arrested and brought under judicial process. This sort of effort on the part of the present government raised new hope for the people that no man is above law and thus no corrupt person will get pardon after doing misdeeds. It is undoubtedly a welcome initiative of the present caretaker government on the way to purification of society.

Causes of corruption

There may be various reasons behind the spread of massive corruption in our country. The important causes of corruption are stated below:

Lack of competent and patriotic leadership: Around the world there are many leaders who changed the history of their nations with their charisma, patriotism and magnificence like Abraham Linckon of USA, Mahathir Mohammed of Malaysia, Nelson Mandela of South Africa. Unfortunately Bangladesh is facing serious crisis of competent political leadership having such charisma, honesty, patriotism and administrative capability. Our so called national leaders after capturing state power indulged in corruption to make their own fortune forgetting the interest of the country as well as suffering of teeming millions of people who want to live in peace and want to see rule of law and just a society free from exploitation. Our national leaders want to stay in power at any cost deceiving the people upholding their own and party interest. Their hunger for power has made the life of the people of Bangladesh miserable.

Criminalization of politics: Whatever is the system of government politicians are ruling countries across the world. If the corrupt people and the criminals of the society take leadership in political parties people cannot expect better output from them. The irony is that our country’s politics is based on money and muscle. Political parties consist of unscrupulous opportunists and bad elements. Before election nominations are sold to those people who have a lot of money and influence in the locality disregarding qualities of the individuals. As a result, a good democratic system has not yet established within political parties. There are allegations that central leaders of political parties collect subscription from the moneyed men giving them assurance to nominate in the election. Many dishonest businessmen and bureaucrats who amassed huge amount of money and wealth through illegal means get higher position in the political parties all of a sudden and get nomination at the time of general election. After winning in the election they indulge in corruption to regain the money spent in election and make effort to further enhance amount of wealth & properties with a view to stay in power for a long time. These political leaders during their stay in power take financial and other benefits against award of projects, contracts for self or in the name of party fund, award projects to the contractors according their choice depriving lowest and efficient bidders, misappropriate government fund, change project profile to suit own political requirement, harass genuine bidders with state machineries for not listening to unlawful demands.

Legacy of the past: People of Bangladesh experienced the rule of corruption since Pakistan regime. The basis for our liberation struggle was a sense of deprivation that was caused due to wanton political corruption of Pakistani rulers. They looted away our national wealth and deprived us from legitimate rights. It is a matter of shame that corruption continued after independence and gradually it turned into a critical shape. Awami League came to the power under leadership of Sk Mujibur Rahman. At that time there was no rule of law in the country. All ministers lawmakers, party leaders and workers up to the grass root level absolutely misused power. They misappropriated government fund, relief materials and forcibly occupied government properties. Even Sk Mujibur Rahman in his address to the nation highlighted the extent of corruption his party men were doing and branded them as thieves and scoundrel. After assassination of Sk Mujibur Rahman , Ziaur Rahman took over power and formed BNP with corrupt politicians and businessmen. Subsequently, H.M Ershad came to power declaring to stamp out corruption but he formed Jatiya Party with corrupt people. In 1991 parliamentary democratic system established in the country but nothing significant happened during subsequent government's rules to curb corruption rather corruption increased manifold.

Lack of accountability in administration: During the rule of the past governments there was no accountability in true sense in the administration. Corrupt ministers, law makers and evil bureaucrats exercised absolute power to achieve economic gain. No file moved without bribe or illegal gratification in government offices, corporations and other utility service organizations They never focused on people’s welfare or national interest rather they built up their fortune at the cost of public fund. They were never asked for their wealth and property which they acquired through corruption. So corruption continued unabated.

Petty salary structure: The salary structure of the government employees is very low which is not consistent with the cost of living. In most cases honest government servants deviate from their principle and resort to corrupt practices for the sake of survival.

Economic disparity: Economic disparity is prevailing in our social life. Our economic and social system is that the rich are getting richer and poor are getting poorer. The rich people are striving for accumulating more wealth by illegal means. On the other hand the poor are struggling to maintain a minimum standard of living failing which they resort to corrupt practices.

Excessive lust for money and wealth: People are not content with the least. All are running after money and wealth. A man who does not possess sufficient money and wealth is neglected in the society. So people of all strata are trying hard to acquire more money and wealth to live with honor and dignity in the society. However, there are some people in the society whose demands are unlimited. Notwithstanding they have more than sufficient in terms of money & wealth, their missions and visions are amassing more wealth to uphold influence and power. These people are harmful to the nation.

Steps taken by the present caretaker government

Present caretaker government has taken a number of laudable steps and reconstituted some of the most important state institutions for reducing corruption and establishing good governance. These are:

Independent Anti Corruption Commission: An independent and strong Anti Corruption can play a vital role to eliminate corruption. Anti Corruption Commission could not play role in the past because it was independent and was controlled by the government. The Anti Corruption Commission in its new structure has taken up unprecedented task of challenging the creeping culture of impunity by criminalizing corruption at whatever level it taken place. The commission initiated massive anti corruption drive which has brought lot of influential corrupt people to the book. The present ACC has proved that nobody is above law.

Independent Election Commission: The present caretaker government has reconstituted Election Commission and made it independent from the executive. Meanwhile it has completed a commendable task of voter identity card with picture and going ahead to hold free and fair election within December 2008. It has also brought necessary amendment in electoral rule. So that honest, clean and competent people can get elected.

Separation of Judiciary: Judiciary is the last resort of common people. It is the institution that actually protects the interest of the members of the society and ensure rule of law. Present caretaker government has separated the Judiciary from executive to ensure fair justice and rule of law in the country.

University Grants Commission: Our education sector was riddled with rampant corruption. Present caretaker government has reconstituted University Grants Commission (UGC) to remove irregularities and corruption prevailing in education sector.

Bangladesh Public Service Commission: Bangladesh public service commission is one of the most important institution which recruits government servants through competitive examination became a den of corruption during the rule of past governments. Question paper leakage and the practice of giving and taking of bribe in providing job became a common phenomenon in the commission. Present caretaker government reorganized the commission by removing the controversial chairman and members and appointed honest and competent chairman and members through which PSC restored its past glory.
Consumer Protection Act: Present caretaker government has recently approved consumer protection ordinance 2008 to protect the interest of consumers from price hike of essential commodities. This law will also cover the food safety standard and pricing of commodities. Services of public agencies like T&T, DESA, DESCO, Titas Gas, WASA, Radio, BTV will be brought phase wide under this law.

Need to do

• Since national election is approaching only clean, honest and patriotic candidates should be nominated for contesting election.

• All the accused politicians, businessmen and bureaucrats who have plundered and looted our state property should be punished speedily and be legally barred from contesting elections in future.

• To strengthen Anti Corruption Commission by developing its human resources and expanding its branch office up to upazila level.
• Anti Corruption Commission needs to formulate long term strategic plan. Appropriate measures need to be taken for ensuring transparency, accountability and integrity of the commission’s officers and employees.

• To generate man’s awareness campaign against corruption across the country so that everybody hates the corrupt people in the society.

• To form local level corruption prevention committee under the aegis of local administration. Incorporation of general people including teachers and imams of mosques is a must to make the movement against corruption a success.

• Salaries and benefits of the employees should be increased keeping pace with the cost of living.

• Prices of essential commodities should be kept within tolerable limit.

• All archaic laws preventing peoples rights to information on including the Official Secret Act 1923 must be abolished and the right to information Law must be enacted to ensure transparency and free flow of information.

• Appointment of sector wise Ombudsmen as per Article 77 of the constitution is necessary for ensuring accountability in the key sectors of public service.

• Both the print and electronic media should be encouraged to be vocal and responsible in publishing corruption reports.

• Submission of wealth statement by all MPs, Ministers, government/non-Government officers and employees and businessmen be made compulsory every year.

Conclusion

Standing at the door step of the new millennium when the entire world is progressing towards success and prosperity through modern technology we as a nation are lagging far behind in terms of development due to massive corruption in all the layers of administration and society. In fact, corruption is a complex social problem which has a close connection with politics, economy, law, psychology and many other phenomenon. Present caretaker government is striving relentlessly to combat corruption to establish good governance in the country. But the government alone cannot succeed in combating corruption without the active participation of all stakeholders, i,e people, political parties and civil society. Civil society is in the best position to articulate the grievances of the citizen and highlight priorities of action against corruption to the government. People have utmost faith in present caretaker government and cherish the hope that Bangladesh will no more be champion in the international corruption index. All the corrupt elements will be eliminated and good governance will prevail in Bangladesh in course of time.