Image of an organisation is very important for success of its activities. In the battlefield, a soldier moves towards the enemy risking his life without hesitation on command of his commander because of the latter's image of a war-field leader as a person who is dedicated to defend his country at any cost. The same is true for a junior officer in civil service where he carries out the instructions of his senior, without any question or argument, because he has confidence on his superior's judgment and knowledge both relating to image of the senior.
Corruption affects this image badly. That is why it is a burning topic of discussion today among people of various professions and positions in the society - intellectuals, enlightened citizens, honest civil servants or anybody else. The reason is: it directly affects a person's purse, a thing always very dear to him. This menace has spread to every nook and corner of the country and to every service-rendering outlet - in government offices, educational institutions, private organisations or business houses. In some cases, it has been institutionalised also. It seems it is just the order of the day and the victims are the innocent and helpless ordinary people.
In the 50s and 60s, in case of government organisations, corruption was widespread only in a few departments/offices. In other areas, either it was not there at all or was limited to lower staff only where small amounts of money changed hands. Middle and high-level public servants were free from it. But those departments can no longer boast of that situation anymore these days as newspaper and other reports are pointing fingers at them. Over the years, the small amount of money has become big and the menace has moved upwards. In some cases, it is the reverse: it comes down straight from the top. This is alarming and unfortunate. It is high time now to make a soul- searching, to try to find out the root-causes and take appropriate steps in curtailing the erosion of moral values with a view to at least limiting it at a certain level. Strategy should be on limitation rather than elimination because realistically, though it is unfortunate, under the prevailing social, economic and other conditions, complete elimination will remain a dream for many more years to be visible.
From the British period to the recent past, some organisations could boast of having a comparatively cleaner track record so far corruption was concerned. This was possible due to dedication, integrity and honesty of the majority of the people who shouldered the responsibility of running day-to-day activities of these organisations at various levels. But some disturbing incidents of corruption like accepting bribes for recruitment, transfer and posting were reported in newspapers recently about these organisations pointing fingers at officers of the level about whom such complaint was never heard of before or was extremely rare. Experience has shown that allegations of corruption are not always baseless. Sometimes there is substance in the allegations also. So, all these complaints must be looked into properly to put the house in order and sustain glorious past records of corruption-free organisations concerned.
Collective efforts are needed to build and sustain the image of organisations. Teachers of universities and other educational institutions will fail to earn respect from students and guardians if they lack qualities required for creating a positive impression about them. The same is true for those who are earning revenues, protecting public money by preventing misuse, fraud, forgery or other irregular activities in the financial sector, maintaining law and order etc. A less efficient but honest government servant is preferable to dishonest, efficient one because the latter can be dangerous in critical moments. So, organisations must hold such elements in check to contain corruption and for upholding its better public image.
Logically next comes the ways and means which can help in this direction. The first and foremost step required is to ensure recruitment of right types of people for the jobs, nurturing them properly and putting them to work with proper remuneration and other facilities. Corruption can not be eliminated by sermons only. It should be coupled with also proper salary which will prevent persons from going to the wrong direction. This single step, if successfully implemented, can change the whole scenario completely. However, it is easy to say so but very difficult to do due to undesired intervention from powerful pressure groups. Only with adequate government support, which should be genuine and not lip service, this can be achieved.
Apart from recruiting right persons for lower and mid-level positions, selection of a qualified person for top position, specifically in case of lateral entry, must be ensured for ensuring success. The recent looting of money from a public bank, masterminded by a person who was supposed to guard it, is an eye opener and a shining example where connections with the power base superseded banking knowledge and efficiency for his appointment in the key position. And the whole nation paid dearly for this mistake of a few persons.
The second important step needed is giving employees minimum salary sufficient enough to maintain their families. Corruption has a seeping tendency also moving both horizontally and vertically. If two friendly persons with similar qualification, expertise and family obligations but different income levels live side by side, with passage of time, one with less income will be tempted to be corrupt being unable to maintain his family needs like the other. This social aspect, though not desirable, should not be ignored altogether. To address this, there should be a permanent Pay Commission which will adjust the salaries of government servants with cost of living. The silver lining is that recently the government has decided to form one such commission which needs to be implemented and made functional early.
Another very important factor, which surfaced in recent years and has got indirect effect in this respect, is that bright university graduates of our country are no longer interested in government jobs - even in cadre services. They prefer jobs in multinational and private companies, due to huge differences of salary and other facilities, leaving the jobs in government to graduates of average calibre. This brain drain must be reversed to put best boys of our educational institutions in key government positions to ensure their best services to the common people. The situation was not like this even in early Bangladesh period.
The third step required is strengthening of moral values of employees through dissemination of religious do's and don'ts among those who believe in it, or encouraging strict adherence to moral and ethical values by those who do not believe in the former. However, it is a fact that fears of hell after death can act as a good medicine preventing people from misdeeds and sins and it is easier to focus on it than the other. It is hoped that implementation of above steps will definitely help check corruption and image erosion in organisations concerned.
The writer is retired Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General. Email: [email protected]
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