Staff Correspondent
No development projects taken by the government would be implemented fully if corruption and irregularities within bureaucracy are not removed, experts and economists said.
Talking to The Bangladesh Today, TIB executive director Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed and economist Dr. Atiar Rahman echoing the same tone said Awami League-led government would not be able to fulfill people’s cherished demands and implement various development projects as per its poll manifesto until administrative irregularities, corruption and misuse of power are rooted out. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on several occasions expressed its move to launch drive against government high ups involved in various corruption and irregularities but it took no substantial steps.
Iftekhar said “Nobody is talking about elimination of bureaucratic corruption but it is a timely issue to ensure implementation of development projects planned by the government. As development projects are executed through bureaucrats, those are sure to be affected by corruption.”
He said the government should activate the ACC enhancing its mechanism to investigate corruption at different ministries and of government high officials, taking punitive action against them.
About ACC’s previous step to reduce corruption in the secretariat through holding discussion with high-ups, he said “Although it is not suitable decision to curb an offence by holding talk with the offender but the ACC probably wanted to do it on the concept that there should be a high level body in every ministry to oversee anti-corruption measures and cooperate with ACC in taking action.”
He underlined the need for forming a separate cell in every ministry to monitor incidents of corruption and irregularities therein. “The Prime Minister herself may form an anti-corruption cell and it will be message to the corrupt. But such cell under the PM may not be the actual resolution to this problem as bureaucrats are sometimes influenced by political authority. They should be allowed to work independently but honestly. So, what is necessary is for the government to boost the capacity and mechanism of the ACC to curb corruptions of government high ups.”
He added that ACC received around 20, 000 allegations of corruptions against government high officials but in the present capacity it is not capable of dealing with this large number of complaints and thus its capacity and independence have to be enhanced.
Iftekhar added that corruptions are indulged in by three parties -private persons, secretaries and cabinet members. “Bribing by Siemens may be an example. In development projects, a corruption is committed by the above three parties. So, it will not be possible for bureaucrats alone to commit corruption if the cabinet members remain honest. Administrative reshuffle is also needed to prevent bureaucratic corruption,” he said.
Atiar Rahman said it will be difficult for the government to implement development projects and implement poll commitments allowing bureaucratic corruption to remain intact. “As the PM has urged the bureaucrats thrice to work without fear and corruption, she should take all anti-corruption steps. A cell under the PM and separate cell under each ministry needs to be formed to stamp out bureaucratic corruption,” he added.
Courtesy: thebangladeshtoday.com
