Extortion is a taint on the country and a stigma for some political parties that have ruled with muscle power. The common phenomenon among ruling parties is to exert extortionate pressure on the general public in every sector. That is why the demand from the people to the newly elected government is clear: extortion must be removed from all sectors.
From the grassroots to the national level, people have long faced enormous pressures in the form of extortion and bribery. It is clearly a violation of basic human rights.
Citizens pay taxes to ensure proper public services. Therefore, such a stigma has become a real burden in day-to-day life. Although the government has declared zero tolerance to extortion, there appears to be little effective monitoring at the grassroots level. Perhaps the central leaders are not fully aware of the situation. However, some unit leaders and ruling party activists continue to extort money, often misusing the name of the central authority.
There is no justification for disguising extortion under the cover of mutual understanding. It always places a burden on consumers. If it is to be treated as a subscription rather than extortion, then it must be incorporated into the national tax framework so that the government can allocate funds transparently for specific sectors.
This issue cannot be taken lightly. The law enforcement authorities must play an effective role against extortion. If necessary, a dedicated hotline should be introduced immediately to take action on complaints. Citizens want to lead their lives through proper tax payment, not under the pressure of extortion.
Author:
Kawsik Azad Pronoy
A Banker