'Corruption in service sector grossly jeopardized people'

Failure to control corruption in the service sector has left the general public hostage, according to Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB). A recent survey by the organization reveals that corruption has increased across various sectors, and impunity has institutionalized this corruption.

At a press conference held at TIB's office on Tuesday, the organization's Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman stated, "Service recipients are forced to rely on mixed systems of service delivery, which allows the continuation of bribery and corruption. This deepening corruption is reaching a critical stage."

The survey results indicate that direct service delivery is most prone to corruption. While digital services have been introduced, they are flawed and often designed in a way that facilitates corruption. The most striking part of the findings of the TIB survey shows that people had to pay bribes of 10,902 crore taka across Bangladesh during 2023 alone.

The findings further reveal that corruption is most prevalent in the passport sector (86%), Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) (85.2%), and law enforcement agencies (74.5%). Judicial services and land services exhibit corruption rates of 62.3% and 51%, respectively. Additionally, passport services, BRTA, and law enforcement agencies top the list for bribery. About 77.2% of survey respondents reported that they had no alternative but to pay bribes to access services.

Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said "The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is ineffective in controlling corruption in the service sector. There is a lack of public awareness regarding the process of filing complaints. Even those who file complaints often do not receive any resolution and instead face harassment."
Based on the survey findings, TIB has made several recommendations. These include full digitization of the service sector and ensuring strict legal action against those involved in corruption. The organization also emphasized the introduction and effective implementation of a "one-stop" service system to minimize direct interactions between service providers and recipients.

The press conference was attended by TIB's Director of Research and Policy, Muhammad Badiuzzaman, former Dhaka University Professor Dr. Sekandar Hayat Khan, P.K. Md. Matiur Rahman, and Mohammad Shoaib. The survey results were presented by Research Fellow Mohammad Nure Alam and Research Associate Mohammad Abdul Hannan Sakhidar.

>>Saiful Alam, AA