Perhaps they strongly believed in Laski's observation that corruption is the lubricant of the political machinery. So these governments felt that they needed corruption to run their respective political machinery.

In fact, corruption is a very wide term. We may be corrupt financially, socially or morally. Thus, ACC's attempt to wipe out corruption is too ambitious.

If corruption is to be totally eradicated, we have to make all-out efforts to change the attitude of the entire population. It would be travesty of truth if we say that the majority of our people are honest. Truly speaking, the vast majority of our people do not even have a clear conception of corruption.

The is an adage that a grandmother was not happy on hearing that her grandson had became a judge as she had wanted him to be an officer-in-charge (Daroga), because that post was considered good for making money. Thus, power is intimately related to corruption. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Unless we can simplify the rules and regulations and convince the people that the stigma attached to corruption is morally and mentally degrading, unless the common people start avoiding both bribe givers and bribe takers, unless the government servants can be compensated adequately, unless we excoriate the bribe takers and givers, unless we can avoid social contact with corrupt people, mere catchy slogans and formulation of most stringent rules and regulations may have little effect on those people who have power (of position or wealth) to exercise.

No society is absolutely free from corruption, but the developed democratic countries have been able to create mechanisms to control corruption. In those countries severe rules are applied seriously and meticulously, and no evil-doer can escape the punishment he deserves.

In Bangladesh, we do not apply our rules/regulations properly and strictly and, because of too much interference from the high-ups (political or non political), proper inquiry cannot be held. In many cases, incidents of bribing of inquiry officers/committee have been reported.

Possession of money has become so important that the wealthy need not be afraid of committing any crime. We are living in a country in which a home minister, who is supposed to be responsible for maintaining peace and law and order in the country, helps criminals to flee from the country in exchange of bribe, stops the police from recording the statements of the complainants, and directs the junior police officers (ignoring the seniors) to protect the criminals.

What is immediately needed is to bring down level of corruption to a minimum level. For rooting out corruption from the society we may have to adopt plans -- short, mid and long term. In preparing these plans the civil society may play an important role.

A mid-level committee may be constituted, consisting of representatives from the ministries of finance, industry, commerce, home, public works, local government, education, food and defence, to prepare the plans within 45 days. To make up for the shortage of manpower, we may consider appointing some competent (reported to be honest) retired persons from both civilian and military sources for two years at this stage.

They may also be trained for a short time (if necessary). These personnel may be provided with proper logistic support. The senior officers of the ACC may be given enough security (if possible), and residential accommodation, so that they may work sincerely and peacefully.

The short-term plan should include only disposal of pending cases of the defunct ACB, and the current cases against leading persons. These cases may be disposed of within 6 to 8 months if an adequate number of courts can be set up.

The mid-term plan should include close monitoring of operations of departments like police, customs, municipal corporations, Rajuk, CDA, and sector corporations like BCIC, Titas Gas, PDB, Desa and Wasa.

The long-term plan should concentrate on changing the attitude of the high schools students from tolerance to "zero-tolerance." In simple language, they should be told about the bad effects of graft on the image of the country.

We know that not only the ACC but also all the advisers of IG are striving hard to block corrupt politicians from participating in the next election. They have realized that without bringing down the level of corruption drastically no peaceful, free, fair and credible election is possible.

The ACC is trying hard to find the right people in adequate numbers to achieve its goal in time. The task ahead is pretty difficult, because it has to work in an environment where corruption is not hated, where wealth dominates, and honesty sometimes brings suffering. If people cooperate with the ACC, we have much to gain as a nation.

Though the present progress of ACC appears to be slow we may expect that things will improve soon. As there is no provision for summary trials, speedy progress cannot be expected. Related rules and procedures must be simplified quickly.

In investigating a case of bribery against a minister, papers may be examined to find out how far the concerned officials are involved. This will ensure justice and fair play.

Eradication of corruption from administration or politics is not enough to root out corruption from a corrupt society like Bangladesh. We have to declare war against corruption.

If we cannot kill this giant, we can surely cripple it. With adequate support from the government, civil society and local government at the grass-root level, we hope that ACC will ultimately reach its goal.

The writer is a former joint secretary.