TIB to publish a dozen reports on corruption

The plan was disclosed yesterday by TIB executive director Dr Iftekharuzzaman in an exchange-of-views meeting between TIB and newly formed Reporters Against Corruption (RAC) at TIB office in Gulshan.

"As part of the research activities of TIB, between June and December we will publish more than a dozen diagnostic reports on corruption in vital service-delivering organisations," he said, adding, "The reports are on the way of completion."

At the meeting, both TIB and RAC decided to work together to make the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) effective. It was also decided that TIB and RAC would work in partnership to combat the rampant corruption across the country.

The duo is likely to jointly organise roundtables involving different stakeholders to tackle the all-upsetting problem of corruption.

Iftekharuzzaman observed ACC might be a case of missed opportunity, as the government does not want to see the Commission effective. In this regard, he mentioned that the Commission was not given the control of its finance and appointing its own people.

On internal bickering among the ACC high-ups, he said, "Due to their internal feud, ACC is unable to exercise the limited power it already has."

Iftekharuzzaman said concerted efforts of all are needed to tackle widespread corruption in the country, but the government has to take the lead. "To eradicate corruption good political intentions are required, and there should be a commitment from the highest level."

Describing the objectives of TIB, the executive director said the main aim of watchdog is to create a demand among the people for fighting corruption in the country.

Warmly welcoming the RAC members, he said the role of media is very important in fighting the rampant corruption across the country.

On Bangladesh being billed most corrupt country in the world for a fifth successive year, Iftekharuzzaman said there is a misconception about it. "It is not said that Bangladesh is the most corrupt country in the world. Actually in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) Bangladesh topped, as the intensity of corruption is deep in here."