Ensure punishment for corruption to earn trust of people

Eminent personalities yesterday called upon the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to ensure punishment for the corrupt to earn the trust of common people.

They also underscored the need for quick disposal of corruption cases.

They said this at a views-exchange meeting organised at ACC's headquarters at Segunbagicha in Dhaka.

ACC organised the meeting to gather opinions of civil society members on its strategy paper for 2019, says a press release.

Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed, founder of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro, said, “ACC could not earn the trust of people... So ACC must do something visible. They have done some work but to earn the trust of public, they need to commit and convey the message that offenders will be punished,” he said.

Former Bangladesh Bank governor Mohammed Farashuddin suggested that ACC give attention to health and education sectors.

Center for Policy Dialogue's (CPD) Distinguished Fellow Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya said it is not possible to curb corruption as long as empowerment of corrupt people in politics is visible.

CPD's former executive director economist Mustafizur Rahman said prevention of corruption should be taken into consideration from development perspective.

“Unless corruption is prevented, it will be difficult to turn the country into a developed one by 2041,” he said.

Former adviser to a caretaker government Rasheda K Choudhury praised ACC for its active role in stopping “coaching centre business”. ACC should play a more active role in curbing corruption in the banking sector, she said.

Anti-Corruption Commission Chairman Iqbal Mahmood said they are now more empowered.

“The government has declared zero tolerance against corruption… we will soon begin work with new motivation,” he said.