They deserve maximum punishment

Should the government allow the secretaries, who forged freedom-fighter certificates and rose to the peak of government job, to resign and get away with their crimes? The newspapers of November 07 highlighted this issue. These people should be given the maximum allowable punishment and publicly disgraced.

Otherwise, we shall set an example that all non-violent crimes, howsoever serious, can go unpunished and the criminals would be let off on submission of resignation.

If these highly-placed persons do not punishment, we shall open the floodgates to corruption, malpractices and cheating. We will turn the whole country corrupt. Everyone working will do the cost-benefit analysis of the offered bribe against his future retirement benefits; and opt for the dual benefits of immediate gains plus the entitled parting or retiring benefits. Every crook in public service will go for the former option and take the easy way out by retiring prematurely.

Thus, he or she will gain in both ways - what comes from 'under the table' transaction and the retirement benefits that will be available.

In the interest of discipline and setting the right example, these highest-ranked bureaucrats in the public service should be awarded the most severe punishment to set an example that fraudulence and unethical practices in government service will never be tolerated. That is the way the government should act.

A Citizen

Dhaka.