Curbing corruption in LG bodies
Wednesday, 24 October 2007
The regularities in Dhaka City Corporation (DCC), the country's largest local government body, are being investigated by the members of a special task force. This is a welcome move for cleansing the DCC of corruption. All concerned know how the affairs of the DCC are managed by greasing the palms of the authorities concerned. Lax municipal governance for reasons of corruption and indolence has been at the root of the sufferings of most city dwellers. The services of the DCC could have been much improved, had measures been there to help strengthen municipal governance.
Most municipal corporations and related bodies in the urban areas have been failing to meet the expectations of the people for a variety of factors. The accountability process thereof has remained flawed. It has been so over past many years. Development activities that are executed by the local bodies with the funding supports of grants from the central government, holding and other charges paid by the urban dwellers and external assistance, have not been cost effective. Many financial irregularities involving such matters have taken place because of "patronage factor". Tender-related corruption, misuse or abuse of funds, systems' loss etc., have become the norms of governance with such local bodies.
We all want more effective power for local government (LG) bodies. But such power without measures to curb corruption will mean no improvement in the situation. Hence, it is important that the problem of systemic corruption involving the LG bodies should be addressed first. The probe into past irregularities in the DCC and all other LG bodies will be useful only when an effective mechanism is put in place to counter the menace of corruption in the future.
Tareq Ahmed
Malibagh, Dhaka.
Most municipal corporations and related bodies in the urban areas have been failing to meet the expectations of the people for a variety of factors. The accountability process thereof has remained flawed. It has been so over past many years. Development activities that are executed by the local bodies with the funding supports of grants from the central government, holding and other charges paid by the urban dwellers and external assistance, have not been cost effective. Many financial irregularities involving such matters have taken place because of "patronage factor". Tender-related corruption, misuse or abuse of funds, systems' loss etc., have become the norms of governance with such local bodies.
We all want more effective power for local government (LG) bodies. But such power without measures to curb corruption will mean no improvement in the situation. Hence, it is important that the problem of systemic corruption involving the LG bodies should be addressed first. The probe into past irregularities in the DCC and all other LG bodies will be useful only when an effective mechanism is put in place to counter the menace of corruption in the future.
Tareq Ahmed
Malibagh, Dhaka.