CPI ranking reflects social status

FE Team | Published: January 31, 2024 20:34:26

The Corruption Perception Index (CPI)-2023 released by the Berlin-based Transparency International (TI) on Tuesday last ranks Bangladesh 149th – two points lower than that of 2022. Its score on a scale of 0-100 is 24, the 10th lowest in the world. What is particularly galling is that this is the lowest score since 2012. Much as the authorities may deride or rant about the TI, Bangladesh chapter, the latter has no scope to tinker with the globally accepted 13 survey components used for determining the CPI of different countries. At least eight surveys based on data and information, three of which ought to be internally comparable, have been used for preparing the Bangladesh ranking. Instead of dismissal of the TI ranking off-handed, it would be better to give an in-depth look into the causes of falling behind in the CPI ranking. It is inglorious for a country that emerged independent by the sacrifice of millions of lives and has also enviable performance to its credit on the economic front. Its score of 24 is way behind the global average of 43.
Unless there is admission of the problem, how can this be addressed? The fact that economy was going from strength to strength until the Covid-19 and the Ukraine war upset the upswing deserves praise and even the detractors were not found wanting in appreciating it. But corruption that has been endemic in this part of the world ate into the very vital of distributive justice. The government's 'zero tolerance' against corruption could not translate into stringent action from rhetoric. If the prime minister's idea of raising salaries to a decent level for government officials and employees had a fair reflection in rendering their public service, the country would not have to struggle with the yawning socio-economic disparities now vitiating society. The rot got exposed in the form of banking scam, wilful loan default and money laundering on the one hand and abuse of power and influence on the other for acquisition of unearned wealth.
If the misrule and prevalence of undue advantage could be nipped in the bud, the country's socio-economic progress would have been even more spectacular with economic justice reaching the lowest level of society. If the siphoning off money could be prevented, Bangladesh would not be as cash-strapped as it is now and most likely could avoid accepting loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) with strings attached. Misuse of funds for development projects also leaves the country behind by several years. Had every single development project been taken up with the seriousness and transparency that went into the making of the Padma Bridge, the country could achieve a much higher ranking in the CPI.
The slew of large-scale economic malpractices is now adversely impacting the economy. Whether any anti-graft watchdog points it out or not, the thing is plain and simple. The country did well to create wealth but only a select coterie was the main beneficiaries of this and it took undue advantage of its positions and privilege to have those. The country's ordinary people deserve better. Development policies and programmes ought to be in their interests, not for the privileged who have power and influence to deprive the majority. If this can be ensured, the CPI ranking will automatically improve.