Only firm measures can prevent corruption
It has been an open secret for a long time that services are not available in government institutions without bribes.
Transparency International, Bangladesh (TIB), an international anti-corruption watchdog, released the Corruption and Money Survey Report on Tuesday, showing a dire picture of corruption.
The report titled ‘Service Sector Corruption: National Khana Survey 2023’ showed that out of the 18 categories in the survey, the most bribery and corruption data emerged in the passport service.
According to the survey, in the previous government’s 15 consecutive years from 2009 to April 2024, bribes worth Tk 1 lakh 46 thousand 252 crores were transacted in the service sector of the country.
The people suffered the most corruption while taking passport services last year.
However, it added, among the service sectors, the most bribes have to be paid while taking judicial services.
Then comes the services of land, banking, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), and law enforcement agencies.
It is true that service users do not want to file complaints despite being victims of corruption due to fear of procedural complications and harassment.
Needless to say, it is clear in this survey that how much corruption the people of the country suffer while taking services.
However, after the interim government assumed power, the corrupt are somewhat cautious, but the situation is reportedly going back to the way it was before.
In the past we have seen that many of those who occupy important positions in government service they want to think themselves as lords rather than as servants of the people.
On the other hand, knowing the injustice, the public became helpless.
Regrettably, corruption has spread in the country to such an extent that even the sense of right and wrong does not work among people anymore.
To overcome such a situation, social resistance against corruption should be developed. Accountability must be ensured in all cases. Legal action should be taken against those involved in corruption.
It should not be forgotten that it is the civil right of every citizen to receive services from government agencies.
Those who are in charge of providing services should remember that they are paid from public tax money.