In
our recent political history, corruption has become a buzzword due to
its all-pervasive existence in all our public sectors and even in
private organizations. Corruption has always been a constant phenomenon
in our country. But recent drives against corruption and a huge public
conscience and consciousness against it have given it a new momentum.
Bangladesh has been branded as the most corrupt country in the world for
consecutive four years by Transparency International. So, both local
and international pressure and call have created an urgency to fight and
curb corruption in Bangladesh.
Corruption can be defined in
simple term as unethical and unfair practice or means to draw any profit
or benefit that goes against law and harms others interest. In broad
terms, corruption includes abuse of power distortion of standard
practices and principles, bribery, favouritism, extortion, fraudulence,
deception and illegal practices whereby a person or group draw personal
benefit damaging others or country's interest. In our country corruption
has been so rampant that it has become a matter of fact common affair.
No govt. service or work could be done or is available without
corruption.
Corruption is a social evil. Moral degradation and
ethical decadence is the main cause of corruption. People's unscrupulous
activities, avarice and greed to amass wealth, materialistic attitude
of life all these breed corruption. Besides these personal reasons there
are some social causes of corruption. Capitatistic economic system,
inequal distribution of wealth, excessive gap between wealth and
poverty, economic insolvency, high living cost, unemployment etc. are
the social and economic causes of corruption. Adding to this poor
administrative system of govt. and lack of law and order in society also
contribute to spreading corruption.
Corruption has entered each
and every core of our administration, public governance, office and organization. In a poor and underdeveloped country like Bangladesh the
effects of corruption in economy and in politics are very devastating.
If govt. officials are corrupt, people do not get good service from them.
If politicians and policy makers are corrupt, it affects and retards
country's overall development. By doing corruption, a section of
powerful people amass huge wealth and lead a very carefree and luxurious
life. This creates social gap and discrimination. Administrative and
institutional corruption creates depression and grievances among people.
Corruption in education system lowers down standard of education. All
these personal and corporate or institutional corruption seriously harms
the image of the country, causes social and political instability,
increases economic and social crimes and also discrimination and
disorder in the society. These, in the long run hamper social and
economic development of the country. Study shows that corruption is
responsible for about 2% of GDP decrease and about 40% of our
development budget is either misused or wasted due to corruption.
People's
ethical sense should be strengthen. For this a good education system
which stresses on creating morality is necessary. Consciousness about
corruption and fighting corruption is also necessary. Corrupt officials
and politicians should be severely punished. We should have good and
effective laws for preventing corruption. A just and equal social and
judicial system is necessary to prevent corruption. Accountable,
transparent and efficient administration is also necessary. We have to
remove social injustice, social gap and wide gap between wealth and
poverty. Besides, Anti corruption Commission should be made effective
and independent so that they can fight corruption and prevent it.
People's patriotism and ethical sense should be developed. Corruption is
a social malady. So it can be checked by social awareness and efforts.
Corruption
is a matter of national disgrace. It is also a social vice. Due to
corruption only a handful of people gain, but majority of the people
suffer. It has now become a serious national problem. We must remove or
curb corruption from the society in order to build a society based on
equality, justice and fraternity.
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