Toll collection

By A Mawaz, Dhaka
7 January 2006, 18:00 PM
Toll collection under political protection has become a bad culture in the Bangladesh society. The newspapers are full of it, including cases of violence and deaths (DS Dec 30). Thechaandagroups cold be seen everywhere, including student groups seeking financial assistance for functions.

Some toll collectors do carry some documents, and some carry or deliver threats. Who are the monitoring agencies, (must be visible, and advertise their presence through awareness programmes) for regulation, monitoring and taking disciplinary action in case of doubt?

Complete silence from the regulators!

It has become so easy to collect illegal tolls, as the society is defiant and undisciplined. There is no respect for honest living. This is not possible without the tacit concurrence of the governors of the country, who provide shelter or protection. The people are losing faith in political governance, due to institutionalised corruption at all levels. The internal house cleaning is not being advertised, although mud-slinging is prevalent at all social levels.

Illegal wealth will erode; but how to protect honest living?