The frustration of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman over performance of his officials in investigation and interrogation in graft cases calls for urgent attention. The Supreme Court and the High Court, in a few recent observations, were also critical of the ACC's laxity in doing its duty properly and they found its officials letting the real culprits go scot-free. Even at the latest view-exchange programme where the ACC chairman made his observations, he brought to the notice of his officials that the guilty are still roaming freely.
Surely the ACC, in its last two years, did some good work. But still much remains to be done. Thus key graft suspects in a large number of cases went out of its dragnet. There have also been inordinate delays in completing charge-sheets in corruption-related cases. Judges also found that the ACC followed a 'pick and choose' system to file scam cases. But no one, as they made it amply clear, should be considered above law, while stressing the need for bringing all accused persons to book in accordance with the law.
The biggest stumbling block to effective corruption control in Bangladesh, as in the case of most other countries where corruption is pervasive, is lack of strong political commitment. Thus, enforcement of anti-corruption laws remains to be made properly effective without any fear or favour. This provides scope for corruption to be often condoned and even protected. When any crime remains unpunished and its alleged perpetrators are allowed to get away because of their overt or covert political connections, it is only natural for the menace to flourish further.
Bangladesh is experiencing one of the highest economic growth rates in the region. However, countries can, and do grow in spite of the worst forms of corruption. The key issue is its cost. Bangladesh has indeed been maintaining commendably high rate of growth of gross domestic product (GDP) in the range of 6.0-7.0 per cent annually over the past several years. The question is, whether the country could have achieved more. There are strong reasons to believe that subject to effective corruption control, double-digit growth is well within Bangladesh's reach. The country could have achieved at least 2.0-3.0 per cent higher annual GDP growth if corruption could be controlled. The favourable impact of 10 per cent GDP growth is all too clear. The other dimension of cost of corruption is that while its burden falls upon everyone, it is substantially higher for households in lower income categories than those in the higher income bracket.
Corruption has an in-built bias against the poor, disadvantaged and low-income sections of the society. They are directly affected by the increased cost of public services due to pervasive bribery. An effective ACC with strong political backing can become a credible tool for deterring corruption. Curbing corruption is the most crucial need for Bangladesh, if it wants to ensure corruption-free, business-friendly environment in order to become a country free of poverty and thus economically strong with every citizen enjoying his or her rights and a better quality life. It is the responsibility of every stakeholder to respond to this need.
