While speaking on Saturday during the general discussion on the proposed national budget for fiscal 2024-25, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared a drive against corruption vowing no one would be spared. The ruling Awami League (AL) has launched a drive against corruption, and no one will be saved. No matter whoever is involved in corruption, the government will not spare him.
We applaud Sheikh Hasina’s renewed vows for a tougher and continued crusade against corruption for expedited development pace. We believe the AL government does not forget the party’s election manifesto. The party prepares a manifesto before the election. But it does not forget this manifesto.
The AL government led by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s daughter Sheikh Hasina fulfills the promise to the nation after being elected by the people’s vote. Sheikh Hasina, also the President of AL, pledged to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against corruption in the last four national elections manifestos.
Apart from strengthening the Anti-Corruption Commission, awareness-building campaigns would be increased across the country, the party had promised in its electoral manifesto. However, according to media reports, 90 percent of government officials and employees are allegedly involved in corruption.
Everyone who works in customs has two or three houses in Dhaka city. Those who work in the forest department allegedly own two or three gold shops. Many officials and constables who work in the police department are also allegedly involved in corruption and bribery.
We applaud Sheikh Hasina’s renewed
vows for a tougher and continued
crusade against corruption for
expedited development pace
If the Prime Minister takes action then we can prevent corruption. If not, the rate at which big officials and employees are being corrupt, people feel hopeless.
However, there are many government officials who are helpless. Because here 90 percent people are on that side [corruption], what will the rest do?
If the government officials and employees who enter the service also give an affidavit, and then five to ten years later give another affidavit, the room to corruption would be closed. Otherwise, it would not stop.
The government has received a lot of praise. If corruption can be stopped, the name of the Prime Minister will be written in golden letters as Bangabandhu’s name is written in history.
On Tuesday the High Court ordered the government to implement the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules 1979. 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.
The High Court came up with this order following a writ petition filed with it seeking its directive on the submission of wealth statements by government officials and publishing them on the designated website. Secretaries to Establishment Ministry, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) chairman, Bangladesh Bank governor and six others concerned were made respondents in the writ.
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 developed any database system to keep records of the wealth statements of their employees.
