Editorial Desk :
Two Ministers and a Secretary have made differing statements over casino operation in the country. Road Transport and Bridges Minister and also Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Tuesday said there was no discussion or decision at the government high-level whether to bring casinos under legal framework.
Besides, Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal on the same day said casinos could not be existed beyond the knowledge of the ‘administration’. The law enforcing agencies are now hyper-active although they remained totally inactive to bust the illegal business in the past. He demanded an explanation from the administration why they turned a blind eye to the sprawling casino business, mostly run by leaders of the ruling party’s youth body.
On the other hand, Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Md Mohibul Haque on the occasion of World Tourism Day said casinos should be allowed for foreigners at exclusive tourist zones. ‘I think it would be better if there’s a system that foreigners can visit casinos only with their passports. We’ve a plan so that foreigners can go to casinos at the exclusive tourist zones with their passports like other countries.’ It sounds that tourism secretary is in favour of running casinos.
The ongoing drives against casinos have raised many questions among the general public. These questions will be answered if raids are meant to be a campaign against high corruption in high places. The people have every reason to feel confused about the real purpose of such raids. The police and others involved in the raids must know by now, if not before, the casino owners are used to be protected as political elements. The people are also getting contradictory statements as regard how the raid at casinos began. If it is only for punishing few party followers but not to stop the power of corruption in high places the present exercise will be of no benefit to the people.
Blaming Customs and other authorities in the government is not our purpose because we know how the government has relied on corruption to remain in power. All the institutions of checks and balances have made no functional. Many are to be blamed for submission to illegal acts for fear or personal gain against law and public interest.
So in our view unless the campaign is directed against corruption in high places to have the benefit of cleaner government, illegalities in casinos will of no national importance. There will be more scope for new corruption and the nation will feel let down as always. Let public servants be honest about serving the people.
Two Ministers and a Secretary have made differing statements over casino operation in the country. Road Transport and Bridges Minister and also Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Tuesday said there was no discussion or decision at the government high-level whether to bring casinos under legal framework.
Besides, Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal on the same day said casinos could not be existed beyond the knowledge of the ‘administration’. The law enforcing agencies are now hyper-active although they remained totally inactive to bust the illegal business in the past. He demanded an explanation from the administration why they turned a blind eye to the sprawling casino business, mostly run by leaders of the ruling party’s youth body.
On the other hand, Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Md Mohibul Haque on the occasion of World Tourism Day said casinos should be allowed for foreigners at exclusive tourist zones. ‘I think it would be better if there’s a system that foreigners can visit casinos only with their passports. We’ve a plan so that foreigners can go to casinos at the exclusive tourist zones with their passports like other countries.’ It sounds that tourism secretary is in favour of running casinos.
The ongoing drives against casinos have raised many questions among the general public. These questions will be answered if raids are meant to be a campaign against high corruption in high places. The people have every reason to feel confused about the real purpose of such raids. The police and others involved in the raids must know by now, if not before, the casino owners are used to be protected as political elements. The people are also getting contradictory statements as regard how the raid at casinos began. If it is only for punishing few party followers but not to stop the power of corruption in high places the present exercise will be of no benefit to the people.
Blaming Customs and other authorities in the government is not our purpose because we know how the government has relied on corruption to remain in power. All the institutions of checks and balances have made no functional. Many are to be blamed for submission to illegal acts for fear or personal gain against law and public interest.
So in our view unless the campaign is directed against corruption in high places to have the benefit of cleaner government, illegalities in casinos will of no national importance. There will be more scope for new corruption and the nation will feel let down as always. Let public servants be honest about serving the people.
