Morality in stopping corruption
Wednesday, 19 November 2008
Abul Kalam Azad
Corruption, as the findings of the Transparency International, Bangladesh (TIB) chapter indicate, has unfortunately increased in some service sectors across the country despite the drive against it by the army-controlled interim government. It remains pervasive as in earlier years. Bangladesh has, in an uninterrupted sequence for a considerable period of time, been identified by the Transparency International under its global corruption perception index, as the most corrupt country. But there are allegations that this international organisation, to serve the interest of the developed countries, had started various activities.
Every year TIB collects information on corruption in different sectors of different countries and reveals it. Three European organisations, Department for International Development of the UK, the Danish International Development Agency and the Swedish International Development Agency provide the funds for running its activities across the globe. There must be a mission of the donors who are spending a large amount of money for this project. And like some non-government organisations (NGOs) in the country, it might be keen to play a role in Bangladesh politics. Very recently on October 23, TIB hosted a seminar in the capital where a discussion was held on 'electing a parliament, its members and the common people's expectations from them.' However, corruption is impeding the development of the country.
For its report, TIB made a sample survey of 3000 rural and 2000 urban households in one year between July 2006 and June 2007. In nationwide corruption, Tk 54.43 billion (5,443 crore) did reportedly change hands, with the highest share of Tk 16.06 billion (1606 crore) going to the land administration personnel, followed by law enforcement agencies with Tk 8.76 billion (879 crore) and the judiciary with Tk 6.71 billion (671 crore). Making the report public one of the key functionaries of the TIB said: 'It is not satisfactorily proven whether corruption increased or decreased after 1/11. But what we have found is that corruption remains as pervasive as it was earlier.' The report of TIB clarifies that all the servants of the republic, irrespective of their positions in the hierarchy, are involved in corruption. It also indicates that the tendencies of corruption are observed mostly among the class one officers who are regarded as the most important employees of the government and they can play vital role in all-round progress of the country if they perform their duties and responsibilities smoothly and honestly.
Corruption, undoubtedly, is a burning question in the Third World. It should be removed at any cost for the betterment as well as the existence of the nation. It is true that where there is an absence of strong moral convictions, people specially the greedy ones take the path of corruption. Many people, including the intellectuals, deliver high sounding speeches against corruption, but do not miss the opportunity themselves. Without removing this problem, no nation can expect to prosper.
But many people do not give much importance to morality. Even the emergency rule could not stop corruption. Therefore, each and every citizen should be encouraged to cultivate and practise morality for a better common future.
(The writer is a lecturer in English, IES School and College, Uttara, Dhaka)
Corruption, as the findings of the Transparency International, Bangladesh (TIB) chapter indicate, has unfortunately increased in some service sectors across the country despite the drive against it by the army-controlled interim government. It remains pervasive as in earlier years. Bangladesh has, in an uninterrupted sequence for a considerable period of time, been identified by the Transparency International under its global corruption perception index, as the most corrupt country. But there are allegations that this international organisation, to serve the interest of the developed countries, had started various activities.
Every year TIB collects information on corruption in different sectors of different countries and reveals it. Three European organisations, Department for International Development of the UK, the Danish International Development Agency and the Swedish International Development Agency provide the funds for running its activities across the globe. There must be a mission of the donors who are spending a large amount of money for this project. And like some non-government organisations (NGOs) in the country, it might be keen to play a role in Bangladesh politics. Very recently on October 23, TIB hosted a seminar in the capital where a discussion was held on 'electing a parliament, its members and the common people's expectations from them.' However, corruption is impeding the development of the country.
For its report, TIB made a sample survey of 3000 rural and 2000 urban households in one year between July 2006 and June 2007. In nationwide corruption, Tk 54.43 billion (5,443 crore) did reportedly change hands, with the highest share of Tk 16.06 billion (1606 crore) going to the land administration personnel, followed by law enforcement agencies with Tk 8.76 billion (879 crore) and the judiciary with Tk 6.71 billion (671 crore). Making the report public one of the key functionaries of the TIB said: 'It is not satisfactorily proven whether corruption increased or decreased after 1/11. But what we have found is that corruption remains as pervasive as it was earlier.' The report of TIB clarifies that all the servants of the republic, irrespective of their positions in the hierarchy, are involved in corruption. It also indicates that the tendencies of corruption are observed mostly among the class one officers who are regarded as the most important employees of the government and they can play vital role in all-round progress of the country if they perform their duties and responsibilities smoothly and honestly.
Corruption, undoubtedly, is a burning question in the Third World. It should be removed at any cost for the betterment as well as the existence of the nation. It is true that where there is an absence of strong moral convictions, people specially the greedy ones take the path of corruption. Many people, including the intellectuals, deliver high sounding speeches against corruption, but do not miss the opportunity themselves. Without removing this problem, no nation can expect to prosper.
But many people do not give much importance to morality. Even the emergency rule could not stop corruption. Therefore, each and every citizen should be encouraged to cultivate and practise morality for a better common future.
(The writer is a lecturer in English, IES School and College, Uttara, Dhaka)