Unending corruption threatens national development potential

Bangladesh, as a developing country, is facing numerous challenges. It is a nation where problems seem endless, with complexities observed in every sector. Once, institutions we were proud of for their transparency are now struggling with severe issues. Among these problems, the most complex is the incurable corruption. Particularly, every state-owned institution is filled with widespread corruption and irregularities. As a result, these institutions, which are funded by taxpayers' money, are unable to provide services at the desired level. The people have to spend additional money to receive the services they expect from these state institutions. When Bangladesh gained independence in 1971, the then Awami League government had the opportunity to govern the country for three and a half years. Even then, corruption was evident. However, the context of that time was entirely different. The newly independent country was in turmoil, with chaos prevailing in every aspect, from law and order to other sectors. During this time, some individuals became involved in corruption. It was believed that the situation would gradually improve, but over time, things did not get better. Instead, there was a further decline. Corruption and misconduct entrenched themselves in every field.

In the 1980s, when HM Ershad was the president, he once claimed that the number one national issue of Bangladesh was the unplanned population growth. However, this statement was not correct. Population, whether planned or unplanned, can never be the number one national problem of a nation. Population is a resource that is essential for any form of production to take place. It is the state's responsibility to turn the population into human resources. If the population is not nurtured with proper training and state support, it can turn into a severe problem for a country. On the other hand, if the population is turned into human resources, it can become the best production resource for any country. Therefore, population itself is never a problem; the real problem lies in the state's failure to transform the population into human resources. In many developing countries like Bangladesh, the number one national problem is corruption and the state's failure to control that corruption.

When military rule is imposed in a country, immediate steps are often taken to combat corruption. As a result, influential corrupt individuals in society tend to withdraw, at least for a while. However, if military rule persists for a long time, the spread of corruption accelerates. The nation that started its journey in the global arena after achieving independence did not take long to become immersed in corruption. Since then, corruption has only increased. Despite frequent claims by the government of adopting a ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards corruption, corruption has continued to expand. The ruling government has always tried to shift the blame for widespread corruption onto the previous government to absolve itself of responsibility. In 2001, Transparency International (TI) ranked Bangladesh as the most corrupt country in the world according to its Corruption Perception Index. Bangladesh then held the top position in this index four more times. The then opposition party, the Awami League, accused the BNP-Jamaat coalition government in various ways; however, they forgot that the 2001 Transparency International index reflected the situation of 2000, when the Awami League was in power. Therefore, the responsibility for Bangladesh topping the Corruption Perception Index in 2000 lies with the Awami League government. Corruption is a continuous process. In any country, corruption increases progressively until it reaches a peak. In every subsequent government tenure, corruption has only increased.

During the past Awami League government’s tenure, over 15 and a half years, the extent of corruption surpassed all previous records. Corruption, backed by the government, had institutionalized to a significant extent. After the departure of the last government, various sources have revealed an alarming picture of corruption that is worrying for any conscious citizen. New areas and sources of corruption have emerged, through which a group receiving government assistance has amassed substantial wealth. Reports have surfaced stating that a state minister owns more than 600 houses and apartments abroad. In the Begumpara area of Canada, employees of state institutions hold the highest number of properties and assets. Is this something we can accept? A government official, regardless of their position, if they perform their duties with integrity and remain free from corruption, should not be unable to maintain their household expenses based on their status. The spread of corruption is evident everywhere.

After Bangladesh's independence, the then Awami League government governed the country for three and a half years. I do not wish to dwell much on the issue of corruption during that time, as there was little opportunity for socio-economic progress in a newly independent country in such a short period. If the Awami League had had a longer period to govern post-independence Bangladesh, perhaps corruption would have decreased, or it could have increased further. Hence, I do not wish to comment on the corruption of that period. However, since then, regardless of who has assumed the responsibility of running the state, corruption has only increased over time. There has never been a sign of corruption decreasing at any point.

The basic rights of people are now in a precarious state. It is often said that education is the backbone of a nation. This saying is something we all repeat, but if you take a closer look at the state of the education sector, you will see how deeply corruption has spread. Over the past 53 years, the quality of education has continually declined. Just a few years ago, the University of Dhaka was ranked among the top 700 universities in the world. Dhaka University was once called the Oxford of the East. Today, where has the quality of education at Dhaka University gone? Even among 2,700 universities, Dhaka University no longer appears. Vice-chancellors are appointed based on political allegiance, and many of them are less qualified than others. Their main role is to serve the party, not to improve the quality of education. Students are involved in various criminal activities under the guise of politics, but no legal action is taken against them. The topics included in the primary and secondary education curriculum do little to improve educational standards. The University Grants Commission allocates a large amount of money to the education sector every year, but where does this money go?

The state of the healthcare system can be understood by analyzing reports from various sources. Abdul Malek, the driver of the Director General of the Health Department, is said to be the owner of assets worth billions. A driver from the Public Service Commission, Abed Ali, has become a billionaire by leaking exam papers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the nation witnessed how public money meant for healthcare was embezzled. We have also learned from the media how funds meant for hospital supplies were misappropriated. When we look at the ratio of public to private universities established in the past 53 years, it is clear where higher education stands today. After so many years of independence, could a quality university not have been established in each district with state funding? Could there not have been a sufficient number of technical institutions set up in various parts of the country? Establishing private universities has now turned into a business. Many renowned entrepreneurs and businesspeople in the country own universities. The cost of education at private universities is extremely high, making it unaffordable for children from all social backgrounds. Most children of politicians study abroad. As a result, the poor state of education in the country does not concern them. Whether there is session jam or a decline in the quality of education, politicians are not bothered.

Education and healthcare are among the five fundamental rights of every human being. The state is obligated to ensure suitable employment-based education and healthcare for each of its citizens. However, the state of our education and healthcare sectors is so poor that capable individuals are forced to rely on foreign countries for the education of their children and their own medical treatment. Every year, a substantial amount of money leaves the country for education and healthcare abroad. These factors also contribute to the shortage of our foreign currency reserves.

One potential solution could be to pass a law that would restrict the children of political leaders to study in domestic educational institutions and to seek treatment only in the country’s hospitals. If political leaders could not send their children abroad for education or medical treatment, the quality of internal education and healthcare would certainly improve. During the Covid pandemic, huge sums of money meant for healthcare were embezzled under the guise of medical treatment. Equipment for government hospitals was imported that we never saw being used. Additionally, thousands of crores meant for medical supplies were looted by certain groups, with no recourse to justice, as the stolen money is distributed at various levels of government.

To curb corruption among government officials and employees, several measures could be adopted. One effective measure could be this: none of the children of government officials, including ministers, parliament members, and local representatives, should be allowed to study abroad. Similarly, no family member of these officials should be allowed to seek medical treatment abroad. People generally seek medical and educational services abroad due to a lack of trust in the country’s systems. If such a measure were implemented, I am confident that within five years, the state of education and healthcare in the country would drastically improve. It is unacceptable for ministers and MPs to go abroad for treatment when they are ill with something as minor as a cold or fever, while the common people have to settle for substandard medical care.

Furthermore, every government official and elected representative should be required to submit an annual declaration of their assets. Those who have defaulted on loans should be completely barred from participating in elections, even with a minimal down payment. If someone wants to participate in national or local elections, they must settle their outstanding bank loan installments before running. Corruption is like a silent, destructive pest that destroys the potential for national development. The opportunity to loot state assets and build personal wealth must be severely curbed with strict measures.

Abu Hena Razzaki: Senior Lawyer, Supreme Court of Bangladesh