The Awami League government has taken zero-tolerance policy against corrupt individuals as they are the enemies of the society, standing in the way of the country’s development. Therefore, the officials of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) must discharge their duties with morality and integrity to root out the social ill. The authorities concerned must ensure exemplary punishment to the corrupt people whoever they are.
Reaffirming her government’s tough stance against corruption and irregularities, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has repeatedly warned of tough action against the corrupt people, particularly public servants. But the country is yet to get rid of the menace of corruption, irregularities and mismanagement as no stern action has been taken against the corrupt officials and employees from the grassroots to the central level.
There is a proverb that says, ‘A rogue is deaf to all good’ and so, we must stand against the social ill for the country’s betterment. The stories on alleged corruption and misuse of power by some former and incumbent government officials that appeared in different national dailies have shocked the entire nation.
Ex-Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed has amassed huge illegal wealth by abusing power and through influence during his service tenure. Besides, former commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Asaduzzaman Mia and his family reportedly own several plots, apartments and lands in Dhaka. He also amassed huge illegal wealth at different places of the country.
The latest graft allegation surfaced involving National Board of Revenue (NBR) official Matiur Rahman. Matiur allegedly amassed wealth and laundered money abroad. Corruption by Matiur came into light after his son Mushfiqur Rahman Ifat posted a photo of a sacrificial goat on social media. In the post, he claimed to have bought the goat at Tk 12 lakh, which raised questions about the income of the NBR official.
There is a proverb that says, ‘A rogue
is deaf to all good’ and so, we must
stand against the social ill for the
country’s betterment
A section of corrupt officials and employees by forming an unofficial syndicate has long been involved in corruption across the country. The service seekers in both rural and urban areas are being harassed and humiliated by the greedy and corrupt officials when they go to the government offices to get service or other purposes.
We cannot understand why there should be corrupt practices public servants when the government enhanced their salaries, allowances and other privileges significantly. We all must boycott the corrupt people socially and raise voice against corruption in the greater interest of the country.
According to the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules 1979, all public servants shall submit a statement of assets showing any increase or decrease of property after every five years to the government through the usual channel. But it is very unfortunate that the most of the public servants do not follow the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules 1979.
Even, most of the ministries and divisions are reluctant to put into effect the mandatory provision. Besides, they have also not devolved any database system to keep records of wealth statements of their employees.
As per the rules, the government employees must take prior permission to buy or sell immovable properties. All government employees of different offices under the all ministries and divisions must submit their wealth statements. It is needless to mention that the submission of wealth statements will help reduce corruption and irregularities.
Apart from the government employees, we think the public representatives like lawmakers, upazila chairmen, city and municipality mayors and councilors and union parishad chairmen and members also must submit their up-to-date wealth statement. All the ministries and divisions must be accountable to the people of the country through transparency to rid the country of corruption by some officials and employees.
