Majhar Mannan :
Recently the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) published a report on corruption, though the Anti-corruption Commission could not agree with the report. But no matter what the report is, there is no way to deny that corruption is rampant in Bangladesh. The TIB’s report on the one hand and the imprisonment of a Bangladeshi MP on foreign soil on the other are undoubtedly a bit drawback for us. The spread of corruption cannot be stopped completely due to lack of transparency and accountability. Corruption cases are very complex in nature and its judicial process is very slow. The biggest hurdle in corruption cases is the lack of sufficient witness, documents and insufficient evidence. Even if the investigation of a corruption case is not perfect, then the big corrupt people are out of reach. If these corruption cases could be trialed by a special tribunal, it would bring a good result. The exemplary punishment of the big corrupts has been repeatedly mentioned many times from the different forums but that kind of example is still a rare in the country. Corrupts come out through the loopholes of the law and the punishment of the corrupt has not yet reached the desired level. The government has already conducted many successful campaigns against terrorism and drugs in the country and at the same time, the Zero Tolerance Policy against corruption has been strongly voiced by the PM. But it is not possible to get rid of such a big disorder like corruption with just a warning; its (Zero Tolerance Policy) strict and proper implementation has become urgent. Corruption is a multidimensional disorder and it is the root of the use of muscle power and crimes which accelerates the decay of the state and social life.
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina announced a Zero Tolerance Policy to eradicate corruption from the soil of Bangladesh. PM’s Zero Tolerance Policy is undoubtedly illuminant and arouses dream in our minds. Due to the indomitable will of PM, Bangladesh has made tremendous progress in the last few years. Bangladesh has become a role model of development today due to multi- faceted groundbreaking steps taken by PM. But the actions of the corrupt persons fade these successes to some extent.
Though political commitment and law enforcement are key to curbing corruption, the media, civil society and common people have the responsibility. Corrupt people are the enemies of the country and the nation but they commit their misdeeds with heroism. The social tendency to hate the corrupt is also disappearing today. Instead of hating corruption, it is encouraged in many ways in our society today. So the last weapon to curb corruption is to strictly enforce the Zero Tolerance Policy. The majority of the people in the country are against corruption but they do not dare to complain against it. Proving allegations of corruption is very complex and the security of the complainant is also important. Many do not complain against corruption for security reasons.
The PM has firmly said that action will continue to be taken against whoever is corrupt. So, there is an all-out anti-corruption campaign going on across the country. A number of important laws to curb corruption have been enacted during the Awami League government. Anti-Terrorism Act 2009, Right To Information Act 2009, Consumer Rights Protection Act 2009, The Government Finance and Budget Management Act 2009, National Human Rights Commission Act 2009, The Chartered Secretaries Act 2010, The Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act 2012 and Money Laundering Prevention Act 2012 etc are significant laws to curb corruption.
However, it is not possible to eradicate corruption by law alone. Public awareness, social movement, ethical upgradation, patriotic zeal, civil society’s role, hatred for the corrupts, use of modern technology, strong role of ACC and quick disposal of cases can exceedingly help to dispel corruption. Strict action has been taken taken against casinos and gambling. Purification campaign has been conducted in Juba League. Fighting against corruption is a long term and on going process. Zero Tolerance Policy should not be limited to mere word of mouth but should be put into practice. The government is talking about raising the growth rate to 10% and that requires prevention of corruption. In short, there is no alternative to corruption free administration and good governance to build a poverty free Bangladesh. The whole nation is now eagerly waiting for the strict implementation of the Zero Tolerance Policy.
Recently the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) published a report on corruption, though the Anti-corruption Commission could not agree with the report. But no matter what the report is, there is no way to deny that corruption is rampant in Bangladesh. The TIB’s report on the one hand and the imprisonment of a Bangladeshi MP on foreign soil on the other are undoubtedly a bit drawback for us. The spread of corruption cannot be stopped completely due to lack of transparency and accountability. Corruption cases are very complex in nature and its judicial process is very slow. The biggest hurdle in corruption cases is the lack of sufficient witness, documents and insufficient evidence. Even if the investigation of a corruption case is not perfect, then the big corrupt people are out of reach. If these corruption cases could be trialed by a special tribunal, it would bring a good result. The exemplary punishment of the big corrupts has been repeatedly mentioned many times from the different forums but that kind of example is still a rare in the country. Corrupts come out through the loopholes of the law and the punishment of the corrupt has not yet reached the desired level. The government has already conducted many successful campaigns against terrorism and drugs in the country and at the same time, the Zero Tolerance Policy against corruption has been strongly voiced by the PM. But it is not possible to get rid of such a big disorder like corruption with just a warning; its (Zero Tolerance Policy) strict and proper implementation has become urgent. Corruption is a multidimensional disorder and it is the root of the use of muscle power and crimes which accelerates the decay of the state and social life.
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina announced a Zero Tolerance Policy to eradicate corruption from the soil of Bangladesh. PM’s Zero Tolerance Policy is undoubtedly illuminant and arouses dream in our minds. Due to the indomitable will of PM, Bangladesh has made tremendous progress in the last few years. Bangladesh has become a role model of development today due to multi- faceted groundbreaking steps taken by PM. But the actions of the corrupt persons fade these successes to some extent.
Though political commitment and law enforcement are key to curbing corruption, the media, civil society and common people have the responsibility. Corrupt people are the enemies of the country and the nation but they commit their misdeeds with heroism. The social tendency to hate the corrupt is also disappearing today. Instead of hating corruption, it is encouraged in many ways in our society today. So the last weapon to curb corruption is to strictly enforce the Zero Tolerance Policy. The majority of the people in the country are against corruption but they do not dare to complain against it. Proving allegations of corruption is very complex and the security of the complainant is also important. Many do not complain against corruption for security reasons.
The PM has firmly said that action will continue to be taken against whoever is corrupt. So, there is an all-out anti-corruption campaign going on across the country. A number of important laws to curb corruption have been enacted during the Awami League government. Anti-Terrorism Act 2009, Right To Information Act 2009, Consumer Rights Protection Act 2009, The Government Finance and Budget Management Act 2009, National Human Rights Commission Act 2009, The Chartered Secretaries Act 2010, The Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act 2012 and Money Laundering Prevention Act 2012 etc are significant laws to curb corruption.
However, it is not possible to eradicate corruption by law alone. Public awareness, social movement, ethical upgradation, patriotic zeal, civil society’s role, hatred for the corrupts, use of modern technology, strong role of ACC and quick disposal of cases can exceedingly help to dispel corruption. Strict action has been taken taken against casinos and gambling. Purification campaign has been conducted in Juba League. Fighting against corruption is a long term and on going process. Zero Tolerance Policy should not be limited to mere word of mouth but should be put into practice. The government is talking about raising the growth rate to 10% and that requires prevention of corruption. In short, there is no alternative to corruption free administration and good governance to build a poverty free Bangladesh. The whole nation is now eagerly waiting for the strict implementation of the Zero Tolerance Policy.
(Majhar Mannan is Assistant Professor, B A F Shaheen College Kurmitola,
Dhaka Cantonment).
