Some suggestions on anti-corruption measures

Be that as it may, corruption being endemic, it will be too heavy a task for even all too powerful an Anti-corruption Commission to cope with. As we had, not too far bygone days, two public service commissions functioning, one for central superior services and the other for the provincial services. Likewise, we may have two separate organisations like the Anti-corruption Commission and the Bureau of Anti-corruption, to grapple with the problem. As though an Anti-corruption Council does not exist in our neighbouring countries like India and Pakistan there the CBI and the FBI both working under the central government are carrying out their jobs quite satisfactorily.

Anti-corruption Commission may be entrusted to deal with the corruption of public servants of higher echelon -- from the cabinet ministers down to secretaries and joint secretaries -- and complaints against national and multinational companies for big commercial frauds. The Bureau of Anti-corruption may, as usual, remain engaged with all other types of corruption cases against other persons in government and other public services. It appears reasonable and practical that the problem can be taken up by two-way approach so that the main brunt of the criticisms against the government making banner headlines in newspapers and attracting attention of World Bank, ADB, and other donor agencies can be taken up by the Commission which is expected to be fair and above any kind of influence. The locus standi of the TIB, joining the chorus, is not understandable. The collation of data mainly collected from newspapers and their analysis and interpretation perhaps leaves much to be desired. Nevertheless an independent Commission should be able to put a stop to all these. The advocacy of the ADB pleading repeatedly for foreign investment of a particular company that it would be beneficial for Bangladesh is perhaps beyond diplomatic norm or protocol. Why one should feel discreet to render uncalled for advice?

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The constitution of the Commission is very important. Its job is basically investigative. Therefore the Commission members should be very carefully selected. A mere honest person may not be able to deliver the goods. So those from among the senior officers who are both honest and efficient, having investigative ability and reputation of withstanding pressure and influence, should be selected. The appointment will be made by the President of the Republic and to whom alone the Commission will be responsible. Corruptions of the kind that affect the day to day life of the common man are various. It would be very difficult if not impossible on the part of the Commission alone to deal with all those cases. Corruption in many forms has now spread to village level. Many of these do not require to be investigated by the Commission nor should they be burdened with that. The Bureau officers can enquire and investigate such cases.

One may recall the works programme started during the Basic Democracy period. Rural development expenditure although made out of public fund was kept out of statutory auditing and innumerable complaints of embezzlement and bribery started pouring in which were beyond the capacity of the Anti-corruption Department to handle. Therefore there was a general order that cases involving less than one lac rupees (one lac taka) need not be investigated, in other words, those cases were decriminalised. Such a situation is not at all desirable.

Corruption at all levels of the government servants and various other attached offices, corporations, banks and other financial institutions dealing with public finance should be left to the Bureau of Anti-corruption.

After every thing said and done, corruption as a phenomenon cannot be controlled not to speak of eradication by only taking punitive action. A good governance demands that public offices do not barter justice for any kind of illegal gratification. Justice does not only mean fair judgment in a court of law, it encompasses fair decisions in all matters, upholding private or public rights. In all cases when a complaint is made, there must be fair enquiry with a view to providing remedy. The point which needs to be emphasised is that it is the sacred duty of the hierarchy of the supervising officers of all ministries and their attached departments to exercise proper supervision and control including keeping watchful eyes on elements of corruption or foul play. In addition to maintaining a proper vigilance, all complaints must be promptly enquired departmentally and if substantiated, appropriate action should be taken. If this is done in the right earnest the burden on the Commission or the Bureau will be much less leaving enough time for them to deal with other cases.

Corruption, being a moral and ethical vice, has now become a socio-economic problem. During earlier days the phenomenon of corruption could be found among the lower income groups only when they were forced by circumstances. They used to maintain a strict confidentiality about it even from their kith and kin. The matter was not socially acceptable. Thus far the matter was only depending on economic reason, nay the pecuniary circumstance of the individual.

Corruption, however, has assumed an universal character to become socio-economic problem to some sections of the society and for some others a welcome twist in the new economic order. The life style lure, end justifying the means, trampled over the old values. Now there is nothing wrong with an ostentatious way of living. For doing that when one cannot meet the expenses from his known sources of income, hence he has to take recourse to corrupt practices. Thus corruption got a sort of social permissiveness. So if the problem is to be controlled to a tolerable limit, there is a dire need primarily for a change of the political will. A beginning has to made from the top. Corrupt politicians and Administrators must be removed from public affairs by imposing legal provisions sanctioning conditions of disqualification. Life style has to change. A living wage has to be given to the fixed income earner with annual increase proportionate to the inflationary rate affecting the purchasing power. There may be requirement of legislation to control certain superfluous acts or habits. All non-productive expenditure in the name of development has to be cut down. Dependence of our economy on foreign loans and grants must be slashed down eventually to nil. The suggestions may sound regressive to many but is there any alternative?

A R Khandaker is a retd. IG of Police.