All the governments since the country?s independence had committed to establish good governance and eliminate corruption, but there have so far been little efforts to address the issues of improving governance, strengthening accountability and ensuring transparency.

Transparency International (TI), a German-based anti-corruption watchdog, has found Bangladesh for the fourth consecutive time as one of the world's most corrupt nation. Corruption not only bruises the country's image, but it also remains to be a stumbling block in the way to development of the country.

The fundamental problem that relates to corruption in Bangladesh is the dominance of the vested interests, irrespective of changes in the political hues in the power matrix. The remedies to improve transparency and reduce corruption should not have been impossible. But those who are to do the job are in no mood to appreciate the fact that bold governance reforms are good politics that earns the electorate's support in an unalloyed manner. 

Even of late, the alliance government has formed an independent Anti-corruption Commission in the face of pressure by the donor agencies, but the anti-graft body still remains to be a non-strater due to conflict between its chairman and members.

NewsNetwork has been closely monitoring the state of corruption in Bangladesh for the last three years and publishing books covering all aspects of the problem. Yet we believe the study is not as comprehensive as it should have been. It has taken help from a number of articles, research papers and publications. We also acknowledge the materials obtained from the Daily Star, The Independent, New Age and other newspapers.

We hope that the study will generate further debate on this subject, leading us to ways to find a permanent solution.

A three-member team of journalists, led by Mahfuzur Rahman, conducted the study. I appreciate them for their hard work. Appreciation is also due to the Norwegian Embassy in Dhaka for its support to publish the study.

 

 

Shahiduzzaman

Editor

NewsNetwork