"Corruption took deep roots because of slack rules and regulations as well as crippled anti-corruption agencies," he said adding corruption is still a 'low risk-high reward' proposition in Bangladesh.

"Make corruption a 'high risk-low reward' phenomenon by ensuring 'swift and sure' action against the corrupt elements," the ACC chief said while presenting the plan at a workshop on curbing corruption in South Asia.

The Global Organisation of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC) and The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, Bangladesh (NDI) jointly organised the workshop in the capital.

"Send 'shock waves' from time to time by revealing the misdeeds and bringing the culprits to book," Hasan Mashhud said.

The ACC boss also emphasised paying reasonable remuneration to public servants and advocated for creating social awareness against the scourge of corruption involving the mass media and civil society.

He also asked to enact tough laws and implement these without fear and favour. "Remove the blocks in the way of fair prosecution; remove the taints, if any, in the judicial system. Hire good lawyers and produce good evidence to get the desired verdicts," ACC chief said.

He also stressed on enhancing efficiencies of the agencies including the ACC, judiciary, police, National Board of Revenue, Audit and Comptroller General's Office and the Bangladesh Bank to fight against corruption.

"Over the decades corruption has been patronised politically which explains its being immune to eradication efforts," Hasan Mashhud felt. "Political will, which is imperative for fighting corruption, simply does not exist."