Enhanced salary for high-ups

The decision follows the implementation of the new pay scale for the government servants which came after eight years and was the sixth increase of their salaries in 34 years.

Now such salary raise is naturally linked to efficiency, accountability and transparency of governance, as the money is coming from the taxpayers' pockets. The general expectation here is that the governmental performance will improve appreciably. There must be a guarantee of better governance, because a poor country like Bangladesh, with a weak economy, will be hard pressed to pay the enhanced salary bills. It is a big sacrifice that the state is making with the hope that every government functionary, high or low, shall make efforts to bring about changes for the better in the administration.

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The lawmakers are the biggest beneficiaries of the latest pay hike. However, it has been reported time and again that they are more than reluctant to pay utility bills and taxes. This is a sore point insofar as bringing back financial accountability at the top level of the government is concerned. One would like to know what steps the government has taken to address the issue.

The pay hike will also give rise to the pertinent question of containing widespread corruption. The government may have deemed it necessary to increase the salaries keeping in view the soaring price level. But it must also have contemplated a tangible reduction in corrupt practices as the result of the salary raise. The question of a corruption free administration cannot really be treated in isolation from the pay hike. The beneficiaries themselves should bear it in mind.