y ear - 11 issue - 3 july - september 2007 tib newsletter...y ear - 11 issue - 3 july - september...

TIB NEWSLETTERYear - 11 Issue - 3 July - September 2007

International Right to Information DayBiman Facing Multifarious ProblemsMassive Irregularities in RAJUK

CCC NewsTheatre Workshop & Regular ShowsCorruption Perception Index

Report Card SurveyYes News Information Flow for Women’s Rights

social movement against corruption

EDITORIAL

UNCAC Good Beginning, Long Way Ahead

waves : TIB Newsletter 2

Bangladesh’s accession to the United NationsConvention against Corruption (UNCAC)represents the highest government level

recognition of the importance of controlling and preventingcorruption. Within a few weeks of assuming power thepresent Government acceded to the UNCAC with effectfrom February 27, 2007, and thereby sent a strong signalnationally and internationally that Bangladesh was firmlycommitted to the cause of controlling corruption andpromoting good governance, which also reflected thehopes and aspirations of the people of Bangladesh.

The move was accompanied and followed by a number ofhighly important institutional and policy reforms thatopened up opportunities to create a sustainable basis foreffectively controlling corruption in the country. Theseinclude the effort tocriminalize corruption forthe first time a creepingculture of impunity hasbeen challenged asmanifested by efforts tobring to justice a largenumber of individualsalleged to have beeninvolved in corruptionwhatever levels of powerand authority they maybe.

Parallel with criminalization came a series of reforms andreconstitution of key institutions of democracy and nationalintegrity system, such as separation of the judiciary,reconstitution of the Election Commission, the Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Public ServiceCommission. It is a common knowledge that these vitalinstitutions were rendered ineffective not only to servepartisan political interests but also to protect and promotecorruption. All these are consistent with the provisions ofthe UNCAC, which Bangladesh has committed to byacceding to the Convention.

While these initiatives are commendable, we are alsoaware that the effective control of corruption and fullercompliance with UNCAC is possible only in a long termand through a comprehensive multi-front strategy. It is notonly the Government and the institutions but also thepoliticians, private and non-government sectors,multinationals, development partners, and the wholecitizenry, that have high stakes and roles.

The politicians may have lost the incentives and scope toindulge in corruption for the time being. But whether or not

this would translate into a meaningful political will againstcorruption beyond the elections of 2008 is not known.UNCAC gives special emphasis on transparency andaccountability in the political system, parties andprocesses, which need to be addressed from a sense ofownership by all involved.

Nothing substantial has happened yet to curtail incentivesfor corruption in the public service to which the UNCACgives special emphasis. Reforms in other sectors cannotbear fruits without effectively establishing integrity in publicservice, especially in appointments, promotions, postingsand transfers. No less important is the issue of salaries andbenefits, inconsistency of which with cost of living is one ofthe main factors behind corruption in public service.

In the embeddedstructure of corruption,a key actor in additionto politicians andpublic officials is theprivate sector. TheUNCAC calls forcriminalization ofcorruption not only inthe public sector butalso in private to publicand private to privatetransactions. It isincumbent upon the

Government as well the private sector itself includingvarious chambers and umbrella bodies to initiate specificefforts to mainstream integrity in private sector.

The ultimate source of strength in corruption prevention isthe people - their awareness, voice raising andparticipation in the form of a social movement with activesupport of all stakeholders. By acceding to UNCAC, inparticular Article 13, Bangladesh has committed topromoting active participation of citizens at large in theprevention and fight against corruption. This commitmentalso implies full recognition of the importance of anti-corruption initiatives at the non-government level ascomplementary and reinforcing to those of theGovernment. It is a commonplace wisdom how challengingit has been for anti-corruption work in the non-governmentlevel in Bangladesh. Consistent with UNCAC commitment,it is incumbent upon the Government to create conditionsthat will ensure enabling environment for activeparticipation of citizens, including safety and security ofindividuals and institutions engaged in anti-corruptionmovement, without which the cherished goals of UNCACwill remain beyond reach.

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COVER STORY


International Right to Information Day

Observed through joint initiative of six developmentorganizations including TIB

The International Right to Information Day was observed through combined initiative of six development organizationsincluding TIB with the slogan ‘Right to Information – Pledge for Good Governance’. Various programmes includingpress conference, discussion meeting, debates, rallies, seminars, and distribution of leaflets and stickers were

organized throughout the country on the occasion. The other organizations involved were Ain-O-Shalish Kendra, BNNRC,D. Net, MMC and Manusher Jonno Foundation.

A round table discussion was held on27 September under the aegis of sixorganizations on good governance andright to information. Held at the LGEDauditorium in Agargaon of Dhaka, thediscussants put forward strongdemand for formulation andimplementation of an effective Right toInformation Law.

Presided over by the Chairman of TIBTrustee Board Professor MuzafferAhmad, the Anti-CorruptionCommission Chairman Lt. General(retd.) Hasan Mashhud Chowdhurywas present at the programme as chiefguest. Former Adviser to the caretakergovernment and TIB Trustee AdvocateSultana Kamal was present as specialguest. Moderated by the TIB ExecutiveDirector Dr. Iftekharuzzaman,Associate Professor Robaet Ferdous ofMass Communication and Journalismdepartment of Dhaka Universitypresented the keynote paper at theround table on good governance andright to information. The discussantswho participated in the discussionincluded eminent journalist Mr. IqbalSobhan Chowdhury, Professor Dr. AsifNazrul of Dhaka University’s LawDepartment and the Coordinator(Governance) of Manusher JonnoFoundation Ms. Sanjida Sobhan.

In his keynote paper, Robaet Ferdoussaid, “We seek good governance. Theright to information can make a directcontribution to basic elements of goodgovernance, such as people’sparticipation in the decision-makingprocess, establishing accountability at allstrata of the state and ensuringtransparency. In order to fully utilise thestrengths of right to information inestablishing good governance, acomprehensive right to information lawshould be framed by repealing, modifyingor amending various laws which runcounter to right to information at the sametime a modern, scientific and effectiveinfrastructure should be put in place forstorage and supply of information and

people should be madeaware that right toinformation is a humanand civic right.

In his address as chiefguest, Hasan MashhudChowdhury said, “goodgovernance, democracy,human rights and right toinformation fall under thesame sphere. We mustnot abet any effort tothrottle the right toinformation. A law for ensuring free flowof information is urgently needed forensuring transparency andaccountability of the government andempowerment of the general people.”He expressed the hope that the nationwould soon get this law. The ACCChairman also said, ‘’the right toinformation law should be viewed in anoverall context. Half of the population ofthis country were deprived fromeducation. Consequently, they shouldbe empowered through providinginformation.’’

In his speech, Professor MuzafferAhmad said that in order to gatherinformation, they had to be sorted as notall information was needed. Side byside with getting information from thegovernment, information form variousprivate organizations should also beensured. Free flow of information isnecessary for raising quality of life,enhancing the level of people’sknowledge and installing them as theproprietor of the state.

In her address as special guest,Advocate Sultana Kamal said, “therecould not be any good governance inthe absence of right to information.Information has to be made free forcivilization, democracy, human rightsand good governance.” Iqbal SobhanChowdhury said, ‘’people should beinvolved in large numbers if right toinformation is to be established.’’ Dr. AsifNazrul said, ‘’information needed forgood governance should be made

freely available.’’ Sanjida Sobhan said,“we have to come out of the culture ofsecrecy.”

Others present at the discussionmeeting included the Treasurer of TIBTrustee Board M. Hafizuddin Khan, TIBTrustee Syeda Ruhi Ghuznavi, formermembers of Parliament Col. (retd.)Muhammad Faruque Khan and G. M.Quader, Principal Information Officer ofthe government Iftekhar Husain,Professor Golam Rahman andProfessor Tofail Ahmed.

A press conference was held atNational Press Club on 26 Septemberto shed light on various programmesarranged for observing the day. Seniorofficials from the six organizations werepresent on the occasion. Variousprogrammes were organized by theseorganizations throughout the countryincluding Dhaka for highlightingpeople’s demand for an effective Rightto Information Law in Bangladesh. TheCommittees of Concerned Citizens(CCCs) formed under the aegis of TIBat various places of the country,including Chittagong, Rajshahi,Khulna, Barisal and Sylhet, arranged aseries of programmes on the day.These included discussion meetings,rallies and sticker campaigns. TheBNNRC observed the day at the RuralKnowledge Centres set up at 9 placesof the country between 1 and 9October. The rural information centresof D.Net arranged rallies, opendiscussions and workshop between 28and 30 September on the occasion.

ACC Chairman at his speech

COVER STORY

Dhaka Division: The CCC Kishoreganj took up four daysprogrammes for observing International Right toInformation Day with the objective of generatingawareness about the importance of right to information inestablishing good governance. The programmes includeddebate competition, bicycle rally, discussion meeting andother campaigns. The CCCs of Madaripur, Rajbari,Munshiganj, Muktagachha, Nalitabari and Mymensinghorganised human chains, rallies, distribution of leaflets andstickers and discussion meetings on the occasion. TheCCC Faridpur arranged a discussion meeting at its officeon 27 September with the participation of CCC and YESmembers, high officials of the district and representativesof local and national newspapers. A rally was brought outunder the aegis of CCC Gazipur on 3 October morningand a discussion meeting was held at 4 p.m. in theafternoon. The CCC Modhupur organised an opinionsharing meeting and CCC Jamalpur observed the day byholding meeting, bringing out rally and launching of amagazine published by the YES members.

Chittagong Division: A discussion meeting and IftarMahfil was organised by the CCC Patiya with theparticipation of teachers, journalists and members on ‘Freeflow of information and religious feeling reducescorruption’. Before the meeting, a cycle rally was arrangedby the YES group for raising awareness about right toinformation. The CCCs of Chakaria, Comilla and Chandpurorganised rallies, discussions, opinion-exchange meetingsand signature campaigns for observing the day. Peoplebelonging to various strata demonstrated their support forright to information by putting signatures on a 60-feet longbanner. A satellite AI-Desk programme was ran under thesupervision of YES members of CCC Chittagong City on27 September on the occasion of the day. Similarly, around table discussion was organised by the CCCBrahmanbaria at Sur-Samrat Alauddin Sangeetangan forraising awareness about the day.

Khulna Division: The CCC Jhenaidah observed theInternational Right to Information Day on 28 Septemberthrough the joint collaboration with non-governmentorganizations Padma Samaj Kalyan Sangstha and Shobha-Jhenaidah. The activists of those organizations as well asmembers of the civil society brought out rallies on the dayin support of the demand for free flow of information. Later,a discussion meeting was held on the significance of theday. Apart from rally and human chain, the Bagerhat CCCarranged a discussion programme on ‘The role of NGOs inensuring right to information’ for observing the day. TheCCCs of Khulna, Kushtia, Jessore, Bagerhat and Satkhirabrought out rallies for raising awareness in addition toholding discussion meetings on the day.

Rajshahi Division: The CCC Chapai Nawabganj arrangeda 2-day long programme on the occasion of InternationalRight to Information Day 2007. The events included rally,human chain, essay competition, signature campaign,satellite Advice and Information Desk (AI- Desk) and view-exchange meeting. The meeting emphasised on free flowof information for making the democratic system ofgovernance meaningful. The CCCs of Rajshahi, Kurigram,Natore and Lalmonirhat brought out colourful rallies forobserving the day. The day was concluded by holdingdiscussion meeting. CCC Rangpur also held an opinion-exchange meeting in collaboration with the Press Club at itsoffice, highlighting the significance and importance of theday. Besides, the YES members undertook variousprogrammes including collection of signatures fromstudents, distribution of leaflets and stickers and setting upof satellite AI-Desk in support of this demand.

Sylhet Division: A discussion meeting titled ‘Thesignificance and importance of right to information’ wasorganised by the CCC Sylhet on 28 September forstrengthening the demand for right to information. A rallywas brought out in Sreemangal town while observing theday for raising awareness among the people. Besides, artcompetition and discussion meeting were also organised.A similar rally was brought out in Sunamganj town and adiscussion meeting took place at the Public Library afterthe rally.

Barisal Division: The CCCs of Jhalakati and Pirojpurbrought out rallies on 28 September for swiftimplementation of the demand for enacting Right toInformation Law in order to establish good governance andcurb corruption. Discussion meetings were also held byhighlighting the significance of the day. Human chain anddiscussion meeting were organised by CCC Barisal withthe participation of its members, volunteers, theatreactivists and representatives of various organizations insupport of the demand for formulation and implementationof Right to Information Law.


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International Right to Information Day observed at local level

TIB is determined to wage a movement for ensuring of peoples right to information for establishing good governance and curbingcorruption. And the Committees of Concerned Citizens (CCCs) are the focal points at the local level for citizens’ involvement withTIB. Considering the importance of people’s right to information as a precondition for alleviating poverty and enhancing public safety,

the International Right to Information Day was observed by 36 CCCs in their respective areas on 28 September, as in the previous year.Holding aloft the slogan ‘Right to Information is a Pledge for Good Governance’, discussion meetings, debates, rallies, seminars andsticker campaigns were organised at the local level by the CCCs. Apart from the CCC and YES members, students, teachers, journalistsand people belonging to various classes and professions of society participated in these programmes.

COVER STORY


Although discussion on Right toInformation has been going on inBangladesh for many years, its

speed has been slow. It has remainedconfined to writings, research oracademic exercise. Not exactly as rightto information, the subject has beendiscussed in the garb of freedom ofopinion, freedom of the press, etc. and itremained stuck within the confines ofacademic and applied aspect ofjournalism and in some cases legalexplanations and analyses. Muchdiscussion, review and research on theissue of right to information has takenplace during the past few years. Anumber of books have also beenpublished. News could be gathered ofM. Phil. or Ph.D type of work on thetopic. The journalists are much morevocal about right to informationcompared to any time in the past. 3All inall, the theme of right to information hasassumed the shape of a movement inBangladesh. The workers, journalists,writers, intellectuals or concernedorganizations have been exertingpressure on the government on asustained basis for formulating a Rightto Information Law. It must be said thatthe non-government organisations haveplayed a leading role in this area.

Various affiliates of the United Nations,Commonwealth-based organizations anddifferent international donor agencies havebeen assisting in creating awareness onright to information through funding andadvice. NGOs have been set up whosemain focus is to establish right toinformation in society. As a result,numerous activists supportive of right toinformation have been groomed from thegrassroots up to the national level.Discussions on the subject in theacademic arena have also been gearedup. Significant interest has been createdamong the teachers and students ofjournalism, law, development studies,public administration, economics and thevarious departments of social sciencefaculty at the university level.

The government has signed the UNConvention against Corruption,appointed a Tax Ombudsman, isendeavouring to form a ConstitutionalCouncil and give autonomy to radio andtelevision. These initiatives wouldundoubtedly play a significant role inestablishing good governance and right

to information. The news papers andtelevision channels are much more vocalnow on the subject of right to informationcompared to the past. The newspapersare regularly publishing reports, editorialsand post-editorials on the theme.Because of these, the previousgovernment became interested aboutpreparation of a working paper on Rightto Information Bill/2002. Various non-government organisations undertookdifferent activities to overcome thelimitations of the proposed bill. Theseorganizations had exchanged views withthe lawyers, journalists, human rightsactivists and academicians throughoutthe country on the proposed law.Valuable recommendations had

emanated from these meetings. Thecore group on right to information formedby various organizations at non-governmental level even prepared a draftlaw on right to information on the basis ofthose recommendations.

Needless to say, these efforts havefurther strengthened the edifice forformulation of a Right to Information Lawin Bangladesh. The unimaginablerevolution that has taken place all overthe world in the realm of informationtechnology including telecommunication,computer and internet has also created ahuge opportunity and potential forBangladesh for storage, distribution andexchange of information. Materializationof right to information is essential forrealization of its potential. Besides, theright to information law has been passedin 74 countries of the world includingIndia and Nepal. Another 50 countriesare engaged at various stages ofresearch, opinion-exchange andadvocacy for framing a Right toInformation Law. Therefore, Bangladeshcannot lag behind in this visible reality ofglobalisation. If Bangladesh is to keeppace with globalisation, she has to shareinformation with other countries; she hasto keep her people updated and able byproviding latest information.

But above everything else, the presentgovernment has the biggest opportunityto frame a right to information law. Thepolitical governments remainedengulfed in corruption up to their neck.They lack of courage to implement‘beneficial but unpopular’ deeds in orderto hold on to their cheap popularity. Butas the present government has no back-pulls, it can undertake welfare-orientedsteps like separation of the judiciary;therefore it is the right time now to enacta Right to Information Law throughconvincing the government. We knowthat the military is assisting the presentgovernment. We therefore becomeoptimistic when the Army Chief GeneralMoeen U. Ahmed makes positivecomment on the issue of Right toInformation Law in Bangladesh. In hispaper on ‘Reducing Corruption in SouthAsia’, he emphasized that the corruptofficials would not be able to hide andevade punishment on the plea ofmaintaining confidentiality, if a Right toInformation Law was enacted. Citingthe example of India, he said ‘’the massmedia was playing a special role inexposing the corrupt there. If they want,any government official in India can leakout corruption taking place in hisdepartment.’’ General Moeen said, ‘’it isdifficult to detect corrupt acts and bringthe culprits to book in Bangladeshbecause of limited rights to information.He expressed the hope that the presentgovernment would soon enact a law onright to information. Protective measuresfor the private sector, ensuringaccountability and involving the civilsociety, mass media and the privatesector were the main issues here, heopined (Protham Alo, 12 July’07). Wealso feel like becoming optimistic withhim. We would expect that if a Right toInformation Law is promulgated, thenside by side with knowing informationabout government offices, the publicshould also have the right to know aboutthe defence sector, even if partially; andthis process can be started by letting thenation know about the sector-wisebreak-down of thebudget of the defencedepartment in the coming budget. Robaet Ferdous: Associate Professor, MassCommunication and Journalism Department, DhakaUniversity.(The write-up has been taken from the paper presentedat the round table under the joint initiative of Ain-O-Shalish Kendra, BNNRC, D.Net, MMC, ManusherJonno Foundation and TIB on the occasion ofInternational Right to Information Day.)

Scope for Establishing Right to InformationBy Robaet Ferdous

The present government has thebiggest opportunity to frame a right toinformation law. The politicalgovernments remain engulfed incorruption up to their neck. They lack ofcourage to implement ‘beneficial butunpopular’ deeds in order to hold on totheir cheap popularity.

RESEARCH NEWS


Bangladesh Biman Facing Multifarious Problems: Recommendationsfor Reform and Modernization

Since its inception, BangladeshBiman has been facing variousproblems including structural

ones, institutional weaknesses,corruption, financial insolvency, poorquality of services, absence of shortand long term planning, etc.Transparency InternationalBangladesh (TIB) conducteddiagnostic study on Biman BangladeshAirlines to formulate recommendationsfor remedy of problems after unveilingthem. It showed that Biman hasbecome a loss-incurring enterprisebecause of lack of accountability andplanning, politicisation and corruption,despite being a state-ownedcommercial entity.

TIB organised a discussion meetingtitled ‘Bangladesh Biman: Problemsand Remedies’ at the VIP lounge ofNational Press Club on 8 August onthe occasion of releasing thatresearch report. Presided over by theChairman of TIB Board of TrusteesProfessor Muzaffer Ahmad, the reportwas presented by Research OfficerMd. Akter Hossain. Those whoparticipated in the discussionincluded Managing Director of BimanDr. M A Momen, TIB Trustee M.Hafizuddin Khan, Executive DirectorDr. Iftekharuzzaman, former MP Col.(retd.) Faruque Khan, formerSecretaries Mohiuddin Ahmed andAbul Kalam Azad, former President ofBiman Pilot Association CaptainNasimul Haque, Captain MaksudurRahman, et al.

According to findings of the study, manystructural problems exist in BangladeshBiman including duplication of law, lackof authority and accountability of theexecutive council, shortage ofspecialists and political influence.Institutional problems include lack ofskilled manpower, old aircrafts,excessive maintenance and runningcosts, apprehension of accident andabsence of long-term planning. Bimanis financially quite insolvent. Presently,

its cumulativelosses stand at1900 crore Takaand its debtexceeds Taka2100 crore.

The researchshows thatcorruption is akey problem ofB a n g l a d e s hBiman. It hasfailed to becomea profitableorganisation because of this. Themagnitude and impact of corruption ishighest in purchase and lease processof aircrafts, sale and procurement ofequipment, tender process, ticket saleand reconfirmation. Corruption andirregularities worth 45 million USdollars (estimated) took place whileprocuring lease of aircrafts during thepast five years. Biman also has toincur substantial losses due tocorruption in maintenance andrepairment of aircrafts. Biman’sexpenditure on account ofmaintenance and repairmentincreased from Taka 215 crore to taka489 crore over the past four years.One or two agencies got most of therepairment related jobs throughnepotism or exercise of politicalinfluence. As a result, Taka 50 croreout of a total 90 crore spent onrepairments has been wasted eachyear due to corruption. Corruptionstook place in posting ofofficers/employees at overseasstations of Biman on politicalconsideration, maintaining stationsdespite closure of routes,embezzlement by country managers,non-inquiry of irregularities andappointment of excess manpower ona routine basis.

80 percent of theincome earned byBiman comesfrom carrying

passengers. But this percentagecame down to 43 percent in 2003-04financial year due to poor quality ofservice. When asked, 72 percent ofthe passengers opined that the qualityof services was very poor. Almost two-thirds of the respondents held theview that in-flight services of Bimanwere bad compared to other airlines.

Biman was formally converted into apublic limited company on 23 July2007. At the same time, decision wastaken to reduce manpower, bringchanges to the Board of Directors,appoint foreign operator and grantautonomy. But it is doubtful how farthe Board of Directors formed withsix secretaries to the governmentcan play an effective role. TIB putforward a number of suggestions toovercome the longstanding problemsfaced by Biman and make it aprofitable organisation. Notableamong these were: amending thelaw to remove duality in themanagement structure; inclusion ofspecialists who are efficient inrunning airlines commercially;making public the annual financialstatements; introducing businessmethods similar to those followed byleading international airlines,introducing profitable flights andincreasing routes after closing downloss-incurring ones; bringingchanges to Biman’s purchase-salepolicies; stopping political influencein administrative matters includingpromotions and transfers; appointingexperienced and efficient personnelat officer level; purchasing modernaircrafts as soon as possible andmaking the process of purchase andlease-taking transparent; above all,take stringent and swift measuresagainst the corrupt employees.

Professor Muzaffer Ahmad during his speech

Photo Courtesy: Bangladesh Biman

RESEARCH NEWS


Over 90 percent buildings ofDhaka city have beenconstructed by violating

‘Building Construction Regulation1996’. Bribes worth of 20 to 25 croretaka is transacted each year at Rajuk inorder to obtain permission for designsonly. Dhaka is being pushed to thestatus of an overcrowded andunplanned city due to corruption andcomplex procedure for sanctioningdesigns, deviation from approveddesign during construction, changes in land-use, failure intaking proper steps against private housing companies,absence of a national housing policy for Rajuk, institutionallimitations and non-enforcement of law. TransparencyInternational Bangladesh (TIB) conducted this research forexposing corruption in the design approval process and tosuggest remedial measures.

Assistant Professor of the Department of Urban andRegional Planning of Jahangirnagar University Md. AkterMahmud carried out this research under the fellowshipprogramme of TIB. TIB organised a discussion programmeentitled ‘Corruption in the Plan Approval Process of Rajuk:How to Resist it’ at BIAM multipurpose auditorium on 22August. The Executive Director of TIB Dr. Iftekharuzzamanchaired the meeting. Those who participated in thediscussion included former Chairman of Rajuk Azizul Haque,Chief City Planner Showkat Ali Khan, Professor Dr. NurulIslam Nazem, REHAB member Shahidul Haque, planner KM Anwar Hossain, et al.

It has been seen from TIB’s study that the private housingcompanies, government agencies and influential peoplewere violating the building regulation by deviating fromapproved plans. The Building Construction Regulation isviolated by not maintaining proper distance from the adjacentroad, non-adherence to approved design with regard toheight of building, lack of knowledge about difficulties facedor precautions to be taken while constructing buildings andmodifying lands used for building construction. Rajuk hascompletely failed to control violation of Building ConstructionRegulation due to corruption and poor surveillance. It couldbe gathered through investigation that violation of regulationand deviation from design existed in 96% of the cases atKhilgaon and Taltala of metropolis Dhaka, 92% at Lalmatiaand Shyamoli areas, 96% at Mirpur and Kalyanpur areas,100% at Bangshal and Tantibazar areas, 100% at Sabujbaghand Mugdapara, 96% at Nikunja-2, 78% at Gulshan andBanani and 84% at Uttara. It is seen from the findings of thesurvey that 86.66% of markets and commercial buildings ofUttara Model Town has no parking space in accordance withapproved design of RAJUK. For this reason, the users ofmarkets and commercial buildings are parking their vehicleson roads, which hinder the natural flow of traffic and createtraffic-jams. Besides, many designs approved by RAJUK didnot tally with the stipulations of Dhaka MetropolisDevelopment Plan (DMDP).

From approval of plans to implementation, corruption can befound at all levels of RAJUK. It is seen from a projection of

this study that bribes worth 20 to 25crore taka are transacted for approvalof designs alone. An owner of 3-4 kathaplot has to incur an expenditure of 15 to30 thousand taka as bribe in addition tothe normal fees of Rajuk. For 3-4 kathaplots under ‘TI Act section 75’, thegeneral plot owners have to pay Taka30 to 50 thousand as additional bribe.

The research shows that the approvalprocess of RAJUK is so complex, time-consuming and cumbersome that only

a small number of customers follow these procedures. Mostof the customers do the job through illegal means by enteringinto an understanding with the authority. Bribery andcorruption is involved in the whole process of approval forland-use and building construction. The owners of land haveto face many hurdles. Sometimes, it takes even one year toobtain approval. The clients hold the view that the quality ofservices of this department is not up to the mark. It is seenfrom a survey among the customers and middlemen thatbrokers are engaged by 53% of the customers for avoidingdelays, 22% for avoiding unnecessary harassment, 7% foravoiding the need for pursuing cases and 13% for avoidingcomplexities involved in the approval process. Besides, theapplicants also take recourse to brokers for concealingweaknesses of plots. Changing land-use is a very goodbusiness for the RAJUK officials. It appears from the studythat mutual understanding between RAJUK officials and plotowners and sometimes pressures from influential quarters ofthe state are mainly responsible for changes in land-use.

Massive reforms and modernisation are required forremoving irregularities and corruption and for developingRajuk as a transparent, accountable and dynamic institution.TIB has put forward a number of recommendations for thispurpose. Prominent among these are: formulation andimplementation of long-term urban plans; making the designapproval process of RAJUK easier and more transparent;resisting changes to land-use; taking appropriate stepsagainst the irregularities committed by private housingcompanies; formulation of national urbanisation policy;raising institutional capacity; proper application of law;ensuring strict accountability inside Rajuk; reconsideringorganogram and increasing manpower; and implementingthe provision of fines in case of defaults.

Massive Irregularities in RAJUK: Reforms and Modernisation Needed

Discussion programme on RAJUK

RESEARCH NEWS


If a service-recipient of a service-delivery organisationspoke about its corruption, mismanagement andharassment, then the organisation might not take any

action on the basis of what he said. But if many victimsdescribe about their harassments to the authoritycollectively, then that would be more acceptable and theauthority would be compelled to improve service qualitywhile becoming accountable to the people. On the basis ofthis idea, TIB has released 20 report card on the opinionsof service-recipients regarding primary and secondaryeducation, healthcare, land administration, municipality,electricity office and post office at diffrent CCC areas withthe help of Committees of Concerned Citizens (CCCs). Itmay be mentioned here that work on 90 report cardscovering 21 subjects at 24 CCC areas were taken up in2006 following demands from the local population as wellas the CCCs. Of these, 20 reportshave been published during thisperiod.

Healthcare: Report card surveyswere carried out inside 8 public sectorservice-delivery organisations, namelySadar Hospitals of Jhenidah, Satkhira,Jamalpur, Sreemangal, Sunamganjand Natore, Mymensingh MedicalCollege Hospital and Patiya UpazilaHealth Complex between July andSeptember 2007. These reports depictthe harassment, sufferings, financiallosses, non-cooperative behaviour ofthe authorities and corruption. Thesurveys show that the outdoor patientshave to stand in queues for a long timebecause of late arrival of doctors.They even had to pay additional money for tickets.Additional money had to be given to hospital nurses, ward-boys and other staff for getting beds for indoor patients, foruse of beds, x-rays and various tests. Many among thepatients had to buy medicines from outside as they couldnot obtain any from hospital. It was gathered that in manyinstances, the physicians treated the patients at preferredpharmacies, diagnostic centres and private chambers.

Although the hospital authorities expressed theiragreement about many issues, they cited various causesfor non-delivery of better services in some instances.Despite that, many hospital authorities took different stepsafter the release of these reports. These included timelypresence of doctors in hospitals, increase in availability ofdoctors, notice boards and sign-boards applicable ticketfees and all other fees of hospital, hanging notices aboutnon-requirement of fees in case of free services, reductionof money-receipt for free services, returning fees takenfrom patients for tickets or depositing those in welfare fund,improvements in cleanliness, obtaining information fromvarious hospital officials like Civil Surgeon and RMO,inculcating positive attitude among them for improving

service-quality in hospitals, updating the list of medicinesand food in hospitals and hanging the roster of on-dutydoctors and nurses.

Primary and Secondary Education: Report card surveysconducted between July and September on secondaryeducation in five CCC areas and primary education in oneCCC area have now been published. Teachers of primaryand secondary schools, relevant education officers,members of school management committees, journalistsand representatives of civil society were present during thepublication ceremonies. Various irregularities have beendescribed in the reports related to education, includingextraction of additional money on the pretext of variousfees, deduction of stipend money, late arrival of teachers inschools, spending less time on classes, private tuition andnon-holding of teachers-guardians’ meeting.

During these publication ceremonies, the teachers andeducation officers acknowledged the facts presented in thereports and mentioned various reasons why theirregularities took place. A notable matter was theextraction of fees from students despite provision of freeprimary education. The reason cited for this by the

Topic of Survey Place of Publication (July-September 2007)

Primary Education KushtiaSecondary Education Sreemangal, Sunamganj,

Sylhet, Jhalakati, ChittagongCityHealthcare Jhenidah, Satkhira, Jamalpur,

Mymensingh, Sreemangal, Sunamganj, Natore, Patiya

Land Administration Brahmanbaria, KushtiaMunicipality Patiya, ChakariaElectricity Service JhenidahPost Office Barisal

Report Card Survey for Improving Service Quality

RESEARCH NEWS


teachers was non-allocation of funds by the government.But it was observed after publication of these reports thatthe relevant authorities became very conscious abouteducation-related irregularities. The teachers started totake classes regularly and arrived on time for raisingquality of education. Members of the school managingcommittee also became more active on the question ofimproving quality of education.

Municipal Services: The report cards on Chakaria andPatiya municipalities were released on 5 and 6 September.They depict lack of coordination in these municipalitiesincluding absence of drainage system, mosquito menace,non-supply of drinking water, lack of cleanliness in roadsand markets, lack of street lamps and public toilets,payment of excess fees for licences, political influence andirregularities in the tendering process, etc. But themunicipal authorities took many initiatives to improvemunicipal services after the publication of these reports.These included cleaning of roads, markets and drains,changing staff duties for removing irregularities in award oflicences, placement of complaint box, hanging price chartof municipal services and price list of market commodities,construction of public toilets, preparation of master plan forthe municipalities, repair of street lamps, formation ofcommittees for arbitration of cases and stoppinganomalies in appointments and tendering.

Land Administration: Two report card surveys on landadministration were released on 14 July at Brahmanbariaand on 22 August at Comilla by the respective CCCsthrough press conferences. Scenario of land-relatedcorruption were depicted in these reports includingshowing less amounts for registration and price of land,payment of excess money for mutation and deeds fromland office, irregularities in distribution of khas land,payment of less amount as land tax, etc. Deed-writers and

members of Deed-writers’ Association, officers-employeesand Tehsildars of sub-registry offices were involved in thiscorruption. But the authorities did not give any reaction tothese land-related reports.

Electricity Service and Post Office: Besides, the CCCJhenaidah published a report on electricity services on 11August and the CCC Barisal on the post office on 28 July.Although the electricity authority initially acknowledged thesurvey findings, they later denied those. But they took someeffective steps to improve the quality of services. Theseincluded reducing the nuisance of brokers at electricityoffices, sending bills after regular inspection of meters,stopping bribery in the open, enhancing power supply,reducing load-shedding and increasing monitoring andsupervision. On the other hand, allegations were raisedagainst the Barisal post office regarding payment of bribeswhile collecting money sent through money-order, non-payment of interests against savings deposits, improperdistribution of parcels, etc. The Post Master General ofBarisal head post office claimed that he has taken actionagainst all irregularities. He gave assurance that a price-chart of all services provided by the post office would byhung on the display board of all subordinate post offices.

Report card surveys have earned recognition as an importanttool in the social movement against corruption being wagedby the TIB. Here, the local people are directly involvedalongside CCC members. Most of theservice-deliveryorganisations acknowledge the findings of these reports andthen extend a helping hand for improving services. The morethe recommendations of these reports are implemented atthe national and local levels, the more would the servicesrendered by service-providing organisations improve therebybenefiting the common people.

Dipu Roy, Research Officer, TIB.

International Anti-Corruption Day9 December is the International Anti-Corruption Day. TIB has taken a wide rangeof programmes to mark the day for the fourth time. Among these; a nationalseminar, anti-corruption debate and cartoon competition, anti-corruption cartoonexhibition will be held at Dhaka. Different talk programmes will be broadcast onTV channels on this occasion. Various communication materials wlii beproduced and distributed among the common people for creating awareness onthis issue.

TIB is going to observe this day in 36 CCC areas along with national levelactivities. These activities includes; anti-corruption rally, seminar, discussionmeeting, theatre show, human chain, cycle rally, cultural programme andvarious competitions (essay, debate, art, general knowledge, beautifulhandwriting, extempore speech). TIB hopes that the government, citizens andother organisations will take initiatives to observe the International Anti -Corruption Day.

YES NEWS


It can be said from the experience of Bangladeshi peopleand expressions in the mass media that corruption is themost harmful national problem for this country. There

may be debates about the comparative position ofBangladesh with respect to the extent and depth ofcorruption. But there is no doubt that corruption is one ofthe main impediments to the economic development,political growth and stability, and social transformation ofBangladesh.

Multi-directional and strategic steps have to be taken forcurbing corruption in order to institutionalise economicgrowth and democracy. It has not been possible toeliminate corruption in any country without political will.And this will should materialise not through mere electionmanifestos or by showing pity or deference to anyone, butthrough practical implementation. Besides, an environmentshould be created for proper discharge of duties by thosebasic institutions which exist as prerequisites for nationalintegrity system and institutionalisation of democracy. Onthe other hand, the general masses cannot becomeorganised mainly because of hindrances to flow ofinformation. Therefore, just as flow of information shouldbe ensured through legislation for curbing corruption,similarly arrangements should be made so that people canderive benefit out of that.

A new expectation has been generated among the massesafter the assumption of office by the caretaker governmenton 11 January 2007, as it has been trying to identifycorruption as a punishable offence and has been carryingout massive reforms in relevant institutions. It is for the firsttime in the country’s 36-year history that a government hastaken such a firm stance against corruption. But a statecannot achieve success in any area, be it in political,administrative or any other field, unless participation of thepeople is ensured. The incidence of corruption increasedin this country when the expectations of the people were

not reflected in the politics of Bangladesh. And the mainreason why the national integrity system could not bemade effective in Bangladesh because it lackedparticipation of the people.

There are now grounds for hope as the civil society ofBangladesh has taken a stance against corruption. Thesocial movement against corruption waged by TIB byinvolving the citizens has been playing a vital role ingenerating demands against corruption. Various privateand international organizations have remained vocalduring the past two decades against injustices forestablishment of good governance. The people have beenwaging various kinds of movements against irregularitiesand corruption. That the mass media of the country havebeen discharging their responsibilities properly gives riseto optimism. The mass media would therefore have to workalongside the people for winning the fight againstcorruption.

At the same time, if we look at the positive changes in theworld, we see that the youth has always played a big rolein social reforms, political revolution or scientific

The Invincible Youth Shall Surely Resist Corruption

Speakers at the round table discussion

YES NEWS


discoveries. These youths always come forward indisasters, in bad or good times. In case of Bangladesh, thisrole is even wider. The invincible youths of this countryhave also erected the luminous ladders of our history. Theywill come forward, will become vocal, and Bangladesh willemerge victorious against all injustices, irregularities andcorruption. For this reason, the participation of youths inthe anti-corruption activities of this country is most urgent.

A major portion of the social demand that has beengenerated in Bangladesh against corruption comes fromthe youth. Just as the youths want to see their student-lifefree from the harmful effects of corruption, similarly theyexpect their future professional life to be free of corruption.The youth themselves would have to come forward formaterialising this expectation. Just as they haverepeatedly proved their strength, similarly, they have toprove once again: we have succeeded, we shall prevail,and we shall not be defeated. The anti-corruptionmovement may not require any revolution. The youth cancarry forward this movement from their respectivepositions. They can take up anti-corruption programmes byforming groups. They can keep their guardians with them.If these programmes are carried forward, then one daythese would take the shape of a massive social movementagainst corruption.

However, TIB has already erected a big platform forengaging the youth in anti-corruption activities. Theparticipation of youth at national and local levels has beenensured from the very inception of TIB’s movement againstcorruption by giving due consideration to the roles of theyouth alongside the civil society in this movement. At thelocal level, the volunteers are conducting various anti-corruption activities under the guardianship of CCCs withinthe purview of YES. Besides, the TIB is running variousprogrammes with the involvement of youth at the nationallevel. The main objective of these is to make the youthconscious about the issues of corruption and goodgovernance. The goal of these programmes is to erect aplatform for the youths so that they can play an active partfor carrying forward the anti-corruption movement. Thespontaneous participation of the youth in the anti-corruption programmes is a source of inspiration foradvancing the social movement against corruption beingwaged by TIB. These initiatives by the youths have setexamples in many instances.

Rangpur has set an example on how the society can bebenefitted from knowledge about the services rendered byservice-delivery organisations. The price of ticket foroutdoor patients of Rangpur Medical College Hospital wasfixed at Taka 5.50. But Taka 6 used to be collected from thepatients on the plea of not having change. As a result, the50 paisa used to go to the seller. This was noticed by theYES group of CCC Rangpur. They published a fact-sheeton the subject on 30 April 2006. It provided importantinformation about the service-fees of the medical collegeas well as the investigation and emergency departments. Itwas distributed in Rangpur town. Campaign on the issuewas also undertaken at the compound of Rangpur MedicalCollege Hospital.

Through this campaign, the patients or service-recipientscould get correct information. As a consequence, theyprotested and refused to pay extra money while buyingticket. When the matter came to the notice of the hospitalauthorities, they issued an order (memo no.-rachimoha/rang/rasha/06, date: 24/5/2006), which fixedthe price of ticket at Taka 6 but stipulated that the additional50 paisa would be deposited each day at Social WelfareDepartment through receipts, which would be used for thewelfare of poor and distressed patients.

If the matter is reviewed, it is seen that around 750 ticketsare sold each day at the out-door (according to the ticket-seller). On the basis of this estimate, an additional Taka375 (50 paisa per ticket) is deposited every day at theSocial Welfare Department. In one year (except Fridays),this would total Taka 1 lakh 17 thousand 3 hundred 75. TheYES members have followed it up since the decision wastaken and till now around 2500 patients have receivedassistance from the Social Welfare Department.

The YES members of TIB took many such initiatives whichare worth emulation. These may appear to be small, but asocial movement is the combination of many suchoccurrences. TIB is always ready to provide as muchassistance as possible to any such anti-corruption work ofcreative nature of youth. TIB believes that by removing theblemishes of the present, the youth can kindle the light ofhope for the future. All good initiatives of the youth havebeen commended by all at all times. They receivedeverybody’s support. We therefore should have faith thatthe invincible youth shall surely resist corruption. Only thenwould it be possible to build a corruption-free society.

Shamim Iftekhar, Advocacy Officer, TIB(The article was read out at the seminar held in collaboration withTIB and Youth Rights Alliance on the occasion of InternationalYouth Day.)

Satellite AI-Desk in front of Rangpur Medical College and Hospital

YES NEWS


Cover-opening of the Compilation ‘Cartoons Against Corruption’

Adiscussion meeting on ‘Cartoons for raising massawareness’ was held at the conference lounge ofNational Press Club in Dhaka on 22 August. Eminent

cartoonist and city editor of the Daily Star Sharier Khanpresented the paper titled ‘Cartoons in creating publicopinion’ at this discussion organised by the TIB. At thecommencement of the programme, the cover of thecompilation ‘Cartoons Against Corruption’ was opened. Itincluded some anti-corruption cartoons drawn by famouscartoonists of the country and prize-winning cartoonsselected from the anti-corruption cartoon competitionorganised by TIB. Artist Professor Rafiqun Nabi (Ranabi)presided over the programme; cartoonist Ahsan Habib wasthe chief guest while Professor Dr. Syed Manzoorul Islam of

the English Department of Dhaka University was present asspecial guest. Those who participated in the discussionincluded renowned cartoonist Shishir Bhattacharya, AhsanHabib, Asiful Huda, Bipul Shah, Manik-Ratan and manyothers.

Referring to cartoons as a courageous tool against socialanomalies, discriminations and deprivations, thediscussants said that many cartoonists are todayconsidering corruption and politics to be synonymous. Butthe cartoons have never knocked down anybody either inthe past, or in the present, rather they generatedawareness. Many cartoons create sensation in society asthey carry messages instead of incidents. Mentioningcartoonists as the agents of positive change in society, theyfurther said that the main objective of cartoons was to givepeople pleasure. But side by side with giving pleasure, itplayed an important role in pointing out anomalies ofsociety. It can be said in this context that the impact ofpolitical cartoons is maximum, because cartoons play apowerful role in the transformation of political landscape.Although a timely cartoon may not be able to bring down agovernment, it can go very near to it. Those who took partin the discussions included member of the advisory councilof TIB Trustee Board Jahanara Nawshin, media personalityShankor Sawjal and the TIB Executive Director Dr.Iftekharuzzaman.Cover-opening of the compilation ‘Cartoon Against Corruption’

Words are depicted through cartoons. These can easilycommunicate with the uneducated people. Even for thosewho have less time for in-depth reading or those who arenot interested to read, an easy medium for making themcomprehend is cartoon. Cartoons contain a mixture ofhumour which people like.

Today, most of the newspapers publish cartoons on the firstpage. Cartoons also play a role inbeautifying newspaper layoutalongside providing meaningfulinformation to the readers. This canbe termed a new addition to structuralimprovement of newspapers.Cartoons is so much popular nowthat most of the newspapers haveeither regular workers or assistantsas cartoonists.

Use of cartoons was started on a large scale during thepost-independence period of Bangladesh. Variouscontradictions present in society were presented in asatirical form through cartoons published in somenewspapers. In the absence of freedom of opinion duringthe autocratic rule of Ershad in the 1980s, interest wasgenerated for satirical works. At that time, satirical essayswere published only in the weekly magazines. Theseessays had similar conceptual framework as that ofcartoons. In true sense, after the restoration ofdemocracy in 1990, the newspapers started to publish

more critical reports, editorials and commentaries than atany time in the past. This was the right time for publishingcartoons in the first page.

These cartoons are serving as inspiration during thecurrent anti-corruption campaign. The cartoons publishedon first pages and accompanying reports year after yearleft deep imprints in the minds of the general public. The

farces that the ruling party peopleand the powerful ones committedwith the aid of legal andadministrative system of thecountry were depicted quite well inthe cartoons. The general masseswould remember these episodesfor a long time because of thepresentation of corruption andpolitical irregularities throughhumour.

Presently, a promising and young group of cartoonists aswell as a readership of newspaper-cartoons have beengroomed in our country. As cartoons are easy tocomprehend and difficult to forget, they can provideinformation to the people through posters and exhibitions.The cartoonists can play an important role in reawakeningof the degenerated values among the younger generation.

Sharier Khan, Eminent Cartoonist & City Editor, The Daily Star(The article was read out at the discussion meeting on ‘Cartoons forraising mass awareness.)

Cartoons in Creating Public OpinionSharier Khan

WOMEN’S PAGE


Information Flow and Women’s RightsShah Sajeda

In this golden age of knowledge, women are flying in the sky andcrossing oceans. They are contributing to medical science bydissecting human bodies with their soft hands. They are battling

on a routine basis to overcome the mountains of hindrances and toprove themselves as efficient and qualified persons. Against whomis this battle – individuals, family, society or the state? Universaland fundamental human rights are applicable for all. Even then,why do this repression and deprivation of women continue,especially in third world countries?

Darkness descends on the lives of a mother and the yet-to-be bornchild the moment it becomes known that the mother’s wombcarries a daughter. This lady does not get any opportunity orassistance from the father, the husband or even the son forconquering her fate. She does not have the right to speak ordecide on family or social matters. The organizations or massmedia which are known to be progressive in this country becomevocal only when International Women’s Day arrives on 8th March.They then highlight the marginalised condition of women, speakabout their fundamental rights. But the subject again takes a back-seat after some time. The country has law, constitution, even theright to know. Right to know is a fundamental right of women, ahuman right. Despite that, womenfolk continue to slide towards themargin under the prevailing political, economic and social systemof the state, because of insufficient knowledge about the laws andregulations of the country as well as their wrong application. Andmultidimensional repression and violence against women withinand outside houses continue to rise. It is not that women have notadvanced in some areas. But the degree of progress has not beensufficient in comparison to the present state of civilization.Sufficient opportunity has not yet been created for enrichingwomenfolk with the knowledge-base needed for effectively facingthe rules and regulations of society cum state as well as prevailingsocial behaviour.

One of the episodes of ‘Meena’ cartoon series produced byUNESCO is ‘dowry’. A girl named ‘Tara’ would be married to anephew of a rich man of the village. The boy lives in the town – andjudging from his dresses and manners, looks spoiled. The boy’sfamily demanded a fat sum from the girl’s father as dowry. Thefamily-members were passing through restless and disquietingdays due to this. At one stage, the boy said to his uncle, “Uncle, doyou know that giving and receiving dowry were both punishableoffences”? Laughing sarcastically, the uncle replied, “I know, butthe village-people do not know about it. Therefore, we can demanddowry as we wish”. Oh, what an irony! One group makes mistakeswithout knowing, and the other group is committing crime despiteknowing. Because of the weaknesses in flow of information on life,livelihood and human rights, the opportunists are deriving benefitson the one hand and the general people or the relatively poorerand weaker classes – a large segment of whom are women – arebeing deprived on the other.

Question may be raised, when women in a country do not have theright to speak or decide inside or outside house, or do not get thechance to do so, what would they do with the right to information?But the right to state-information is an identical right for all citizensof a civilised society. Free flow of information opens upopportunities for people to think, teaches them to consider,encourages them to establish their rights. As an extension, theintensity of violence against women can be reduced considerablythrough free and correct flow of information and proper applicationof law. In most countries of the third world, the general massesremain far away from information about legal assistance in almostall areas including health, environment, trade-commerce,

purchase-sale, investment, properties, land, education, ration,marriage-divorce, repression and dowry. The situation is evenmore precarious for womenfolk, who are more common than thecommoners, weaker than the weak.

‘Save the environment’ is a strong movement of conscious civilsociety all over the world. Our country also does not lag behind.There are strict laws for saving the environment. The law forstopping violence against women is also quite stringent. But theconcerned authorities are not very keen about applying this law.On the other hand, it is also true that women have an intimaterelationship with nature. But in our country, a majority of womenfolklack opportunity to gain knowledge about the ‘what’ and ‘why’ ofenvironment. Recently, various non-government organizationshave undertaken some awareness-raising programmes on thesesubjects, especially for rural illiterate women. The families, societyand state would one day derive benefit out of it. Many peoplealready know about the harmful effects of tree-cutting andeconomic benefit of tree-plantation. But the women community, alarge segment of our human resources, remain outsideconsideration.

The number of deprived women, children and mothers in oursociety is quite substantial. The maternal mortality rate is also quitehigh. The incidence of dowry is on the rise as well. Cruelties likeacid-throwing are increasing. Girls and young women are beingtrafficked everyday. Many are being forced to engage in immoral orrisky professions after falling into fraudulent traps due to povertyand uncertain future. These result in physical and mentaldevastations. Many are infected with deadly diseases like AIDS.Many perish prematurely due to lack of knowledge about health-awareness issues.

Health-awareness subjects should be included in the syllabuses ofour text books. If people are aware about laws and punitiveprovisions related to education, health, environment, women andchild trafficking, dowry, acid-throwing, etc., then they can becomealert on the one hand and scope is created on the other for adecline in criminal tendencies. ‘Should know if you want to live’ isa popular slogan of the present times. But the conscious civilsociety will have to take the responsibility of creating opportunityfor knowing.

The world is within our grasp today due to modern informationtechnology. But not all ten sides are open for the womenfolk. As aresult, overall social development is being hampered. The nationwould get conscious, educated and responsible mothers if theycan participate in free and proper flow of information. The futuregeneration would be groomed properly under the shade of theirsupervision and affection. The nation would expect a corruption-free well-governed society from them.

Shah Sajeda, Convener of Gender Sub-Committee and member, CCC Barisal

Discussion programme on Right to Information Day in Barisal

CULTURAL NEWS


Theatre is a powerful mediumfor generating awarenessagainst corruption and as an

easy means for communicating withthe people. The peoples theatregroups formed in CCC areas throughthe initiative of TIB have beenstaging theatre-shows regularly withthe slogan ‘Theatre againstcorruption’. They have received avery good response from theaudience. Till now, 34 peoplestheatre groups have been formed in34 CCCs; 32 production basedtheatre workshops have beenorganised with the supervision ofconcern CCCs.

A production based theatre workshopof the peoples theatre group of CCCComilla was held at the ComillaRotary Club between 22 and 27 July.The production at the workshopdwelt on corruption in the health,education and police departments aswell as drugs. A technical show of theproduction titled ‘Samayer Dak’ (Callof the time) was staged on 27 Julyevening. The production basedworkshop of peoples theatre group ofCCC Brahmanbaria took placebetween 15 and 20 July. The themeof the play was corruption in health,education and police administrationas well as drugs. A technical show ofthe play titled ‘Ekhoni Samay’ (nowis the time) was staged on 20 July.The production based workshop ofpeoples theatre group of CCCSatkhira was held between 21 and26 July. The play titled ‘BanchteyChai’ (Want to live) was staged onthe last day of the workshop on 26July. A 6-day long production based

workshop was held at KushtiaCooperative Building between 23and 28 August under the aegis ofCCC Kushtia. The issues which werecovered by the drama included,corruption in the health andeducation sectors, corruption inpolice administration and drugs. Thedrama was titled ‘Din Badaler Pala’(Time for changing the days). It wasstaged on the last evening of theworkshop in presence of CCCmembers and invited guests. Thetheatre workshop of the CCCRajshahi was held between 28 Juneand 3 July. The name of the dramaproduced at the workshop was‘Manushrey nia manusher khela’(Man’s game with man). It wasstaged on 3 July. The productionbased theatre workshop of peoplestheatre group of CCC ChapaiNawabganj was held on 12-17 Julyat local District Council premises.The drama titled ‘Durnity ar na’ (Nomore corruption), which dwelt on theeducation and health sectors, was

staged on 17 July on the last day ofthe workshop. The production basedtheatre workshop of peoples theatregroup of CCC Lalmonirhat was heldduring 17-22 August at local OVATraining Centre. The drama titled‘Banchar Larai’ (Struggle for survival)was staged on the last day of theworkshop. The workshop of thepeoples theatre group of CCCJhalakati took place at JhalakatiSports Association premises between2 and 7 July. Dwelling on corruption invarious sectors, the drama titled ‘Amrakorbo joy’ (We shall overcome) wasstaged on 7 July. The productionbased theatre workshop of peoplestheatre group of CCC Pirojpur washeld on 1-6 September. Technicalshow of the drama ‘DurnitirDushshamoy’ (Bad time for corruption)took place on 6 September.

A total of 144 theatre activistsparticipated in these workshops. Themale-female ratio was 3:1 (108 and36 respectively).

Peoples Theatre Programme

Peoples theatre group of CCC Brahmanbaria is staging their show A scene from the drama staged by the peoples theatre group of CCC Kushtia

Peoples theatre group of CCC Comilla is staging show

CCC NEWS


Notable Activities in CCC AreasFreed from the land-robbers, Chandana River nowbelongs to the common peopleOnce Chandana was a beautiful river of Lalpur upazillaarea under Natore district. But it is now drying up in such away that it is becoming a rice-field. Innumerable peoplewho used to live on the banks of this river and whoselivelihood depended on its flow are now struggling forsurvival.

Some people whose lives were threatened because of thissetback for Chandana river came to the Advice andInformation Centre Desk of CCC Natore for assistance.They informed the CCC that this river was declared deadand fit for rice cultivation as khas land through a land-survey of 1968. Although some individuals gave thelandless people permission to cultivate in the name ofassisting them for getting permanent settlement on thebasis of government policy, they sold the remaining khaslands of the river through corruption and presently thosepersons owned those lands. As a consequence, theseland-owners were stopping jute production until their dueswere paid. They are not allowing the livestock of farmers tograze on a vast stretch of that land and not even allowingthem to take bath.

On behalf of the victims, the CCC members took up thematter with the local administration, especially to theUpazila Nirbahi Officer of Lalpur upazila. He inspected theriver area and reviewed the land survey documents forsolving the problem. He found that the river was unfairlydeclared dead during the survey; this was done because ofthe ploys of those people who were involved with occupyingmuch of the river-land through corruption. A decision wastherefore taken to undertake a legal challenge against theindividuals who were claiming ownership of the river andthe process by which the land was declared as khas land.The people of Lalpur are now happy at the return of theChandana river to the common people with the help of CCCmembers. They are now determined to protect the river asthe centre of their livelihood and day-to-day activities and torestore its heritage.

Exemplary joint initiative of Rajendrapur UnionParishad and CCC RangpurThe Rajendrapur Union Parishad arranged a Face thePublic meeting with the people through the initiative ofCCC Rangpur and identified their problems andexpectations. Many expectations of the union inhabitantshave already been realized. Now, gambling does not takeplace openly. Seventy percent roads of the area under theup’s jurisdiction have been repaired. The parishad hastaken initiatives to save the ordinary people from theclutches of money-lenders. Exhibition of pornographicVCD has now declined. Initiative has been taken to involvethe youth as volunteers for development of the union.

Anti-Corruption Slogan and Cartoon Competition heldin FaridpurAn anti-corruption slogan and cartoon competition was heldon 1st and 10th July under the aegis of CCC-Faridpur forraising involvement of the local people in anti-corruptionactivities and generating demand against corruption. Morethan 137 students of over nine secondary educationalinstitutions of Faridpur town took part in the competition. Of

them, ten were awarded prizes. Intense hatred againstcorruption was expressed from the depths of their minds bythose who participated in the anti-corruption slogan andcartoon competition. After the conclusion of the competition,initiative was taken to exhibit the slogans and cartoons invarious schools on 24 July. Exhibitions were held on thepremises of Sarada Sundari Girls High School, SaradaSundari Women’s College and Faridpur Zilla School.

‘Shawjan Sabha’ of CCC Chapai NawabganjOur dearest motherland has been overwhelmed bylimitless corruption. The CCC Chapai Nawabganj hastherefore formed ‘Shawjan’ (citizens for transparency)consisting of 36 honest, transparent, renowned and anti-corruption well-wishers with the pledge of ‘we shall freethis country together from the clutches of corruption andmake it a cherished island of integrity’. The first meeting of‘Shawjan’ took place on 29 September in its office locatedat Bara Indira Corner. The CCC convener Adv. Abu Md.Saiful Islam Reza chaired the meeting. Those who tookpart in the discussion included CCC Chapai NawabganjAdviser Alhaj Dr. Sirajuddin and Principal Saidur Rahman,Humayun Kabir, Naimul Bari, Waliul Azim, Rahima Khatun,Monowara Khatun, Golam Sarwar Pintu and others fromamong ‘Shawjan’ members.

Hundred percent registration of births completed at BagerhatOne Hundred percent birth-registration has beencompleted at ward no. 4 of Karapara union under SadarUpazilla through the YES group of CCC Bagerhat. Theprogramme was conducted between 14 and 17 July. TheYES group members went to each of the houses, filled upbirth-registration forms and then handed those over to UPchairman Rafiqul Islam Rumi. Through these birthregistrations, 18 citizens’ rights of the ward-inhabitantshave been ensured. Notable among these are admissionof children in schools, opening of bank account, issuanceof passport, taking utility connections, trade licence, drivinglicence, etc. The citizens of ward no. 4 expressed theirgratefulness to the CCC Bagerhat for this programme ofthe YES group.

Human chain programme at JhenaidahA rally and human chain programme was held under theaegis of CCC at Jhenaidah on 27 October for protestingcorruption and generating awareness on the issue. The rallywent round important thoroughfares of the town carryingfestoons inscribed with anti-corruption slogans. The humanchain was formed at post-office corner of the town after therally. The members of the CCC, YES group and eminentpersons participated in the programme. An anti-corruption

Human chain in Jhenidah for generating anti-corruption awareness

CCC NEWS


cultural show was staged after the rally at municipal parkpremises.

Competition held at Munshiganj on self-composedanti-corruption poemsThe YES group of CCC Munshiganj organised acompetition of self-composed anti-corruption poems forschool-children between 8 and 15 July. A total of 148students from six schools of Munshiganj participated in thiscompetition. The panel of judges was led by the CCCConvener Professor Anil Kumar Chakrabarty. Theyselected six poems for the award of prizes. The CCC hasdrawn up a plan for publishing a compilation and wall-magazine with 20 of the selected poems. The Chairman ofthe TIB Board of Trustees Professor Muzaffer Ahmaddistributed certificates and crests among the winners on 26July.

Seminar held in Jessore on ‘Impact of corruption on women’A seminar on ‘Impact of corruption on women’ was held inthe seminar room of Bangladesh Medical Association on18 August under the aegis of CCC Jessore. The seminarwas chaired by the Convener of Gender Sub-Committee ofCCC Jessore Advocate Syeda Masuma Begum. CCCmember M.R. Khairul Umam presented a paper on impactof corruption on women. After the presentation, the invited

guests articulated their views through various questions.Later, Assistant Professor of Jessore M M College HosneAra Khatun, President of Mohila Parishad and CCCmember Habiba Shefa and the TIB Executive Director tookpart in the discussion. CCC member Sukumar Das actedas the moderator during the programme.

Gazipur Municipality: Face the Public in GazipurAn accountability programme titled ‘Face the Public withGazipur Municipality’ was organised at Gazipur municipalauditorium on 12 September under the aegis of CCCGazipur. This programme was arranged to make Gazipurmunicipality transparent, accountable and strong as animportant component of the local government sector and inan effort to involve the citizens in the social movementagainst corruption.

The inhabitants of the municipality raised their problemswith the municipal representatives. Opinions of localpeople were sought on what development programmesshould be taken up in future and what role the councilshould play. The chairman and commissioners replied tovarious queries from the people. The intolerable traffic jamat rail-crossing of the town was identified as a majorproblem by the audience. Those who took part in thediscussion included CCC Convener Professor Ayeshuddin,muncipality Chairman Adovcate AKM Mozammel Haque,representative of Denmark Michael Sidors, SteinerDungarp, employee of Danish embassy in BangladeshMathias Dus, TIB Director Mursalin Khan Chowdhury andothers. People belonging to all segments of society werepresent at the programme.

CCC Jhenidah YES Group meets with the authorities of Sadar HospitalA meeting was held between the YES group of CCCJhenidah and the Jhenidah sadar hospital authorities withthe goal of improving services. The Civil Surgeon of thedistrict Md. Shamsul Haque chaired the meeting. The YESgroup put forward various proposals for making the SadarHospital an ideal one. The proposals included preparationof fact-sheet on hospital services and its distributionthrough satellit Advice and Information Desk, placement ofcomplaint box in hospital, cleanliness drive, helping thepatients and visitors solve their problems, assist inmaintenance of discipline inside hospital, etc.

UP Chairman face the people in SylhetThe Chairman of Khadimnagar Union Parishad of SylhetMd. Sirajul Islam attended Face the Public Programme on12 September. The CCC Sylhet organised this exceptionalprogramme with the goal of ensuring transparency andaccountability in the local government system. People ofthe area highlighted their problems to the Chairman andwanted to know about future development plans. TheChairman listened to them and gave answers to theirqueries. He highlighted the successes achieved in the pastand explained the reasons for previous failures. He soughtthe opinions of local people about future developmentprogrammes and role of the union parishad. He assuredthem about solving their problems on a priority basis.Chaired by the CCC Convener Advocate Emad UllahShahidul Islam, the address of welcome was delivered atthe meeting by the former president of Sylhet Chamber ofCommerce and Industry Faruk Mahmud Chowdhury. CCCmember Lakshmi Kanta Singh also spoke. Held at theoffice of Khadimnagar Union Parishad, all walks of peopleincluding a large number of women were present alongwith the others.

Blood Bank at Sunamganj Sadar Hospital through the initiative of YESThere is no blood bank at Sunamganj. The patients haveto face problem in case of urgent need for blood. To solvethis problem, the YES members of CCC Sunamganj haveset up a mobile blood bank, so that the poor patients canget blood free of charge. Notable improvements have nowtaken place in the quality of hospital services after releaseof a report card by the CCC on healthcare services of thehospital through effective role played by YES members.The hospital authorities have now fixed the time for entryof medical representatives in hospital after 1 pm. Initiativehas been taken for setting up an information board and alist of doctors in order to provide information about servicesto be received by the recipients.

Discussion meeting on Impact of Corruption on Women

Face the Public programme in Gazipur

CCC NEWS


Anti-Corruption Programme at KishoreganjAn opinion-exchange meeting dubbed ‘Role of women incurbing corruption’ was held on 6 September under theaegis of CCC Kishoreganj for raising involvement ofwomen in the anti-corruption movement. The UpazilaNirbahi Officer Shahnawaz Dilruba Khan was present inthe meeting as Special Guest. Another view-exchangemeeting titled ‘Views of the present generation on curbingcorruption’ was arranged on 7 September for motivatingand initiating the youth of Kishoreganj town in anti-corruption ideals. Chaired by the CCC Convener AdvocateAshok Sarkar, Additional Police Superintendent M.Mustafizur Rahman was present at the meeting as ChiefGuest. The opinion-exchange meeting styled ‘Role of SMCin improving the quality of primary education’ was held on

8 September. Former Adviser of the caretaker governmentand the Treasurer of TIB Trustee Board M. HafizuddinKhan was present at the meeting as Chief Guest. ThePrincipal of Kishorganj RS Ideal College Gulshan Ara waspresent as Special Guest.

‘YES group set up AI - Desk at Patiya Health ComplexYES group of CCC Patiya hs set up AI-Desk on 8 and 9July at the premises of Patiya Health Complex. Theobjective of this programme was to provide informationand advice on various healthcare issues. The YESmembers informed the patients about fees for x-rays andvarious pathological tests, fees specified for use ofambulance, etc. Besides, a leaflet was distributed amongpatients on the basis of information obtained from hospitalauthorities.

Findings of Report Card Survey on ‘SecondaryEducation in Chittagong City’The findings of the report card survey on secondaryeducation in Chittagong City was released on 11 August atEngineer Abdul Khaleque auditorium of Chittagong PressClub by CCC Chittagong City. It was aimed at puttingforward effective recommendations at the level of relevantauthorities, policy-makers and specialists for improvingoverall services and facilities after examining the

management and quality of education of schools located inChittagong City. Chaired by the CCC Convener BegumMustari Shafi, findings of the survey was presented at theprogramme by the CCC member Dr. M Q Ohidul Alam.Apart from journalists, teachers of various schools andpeople from different walks of life were present. During theopen discussion, the teachers made valuable suggestionsfor improving the quality of secondary education.

People’s Representatives Face the Public at NalitabariA ‘Face the Public’ programme on accountability was heldat Muktijoddha High School of Char Ali Bazar with theparticipation of citizens belonging to various professionsaimed at improving the services of union parishad at No. 4Nayabil Union. Those present on the occasion includedUpazila Nirbahi Officer Giasuddin Mogal, Officer-in-Chargeof the police station Mortuza Ali Mia, CCC and YESmembers. The citizens wanted to know from the unionparishad about mismanagement and lack of initiative bythe union parishad on various services delivered by it andassociated problems like cleanliness, drinking water andsewerage system, distribution of licences, mosquitoeradication, controlling quality of food, lighting of lamp-post, etc. The UP Chairman replied to these queries. Thespeakers called for taking steps by the union parishad forresolving the problems and to discharge responsibilitieswith honesty and dedication. Emphasis was placed onsolving the problems by collecting money for the purpose.In this regard, they called for collecting taxes from the localpopulation and utilising them properly.

Advice and Information Desk set up in Mymensingh A Satellite Advice and Information desk was set up forpublicising and distributing fact-sheet about the servicesrendered by school health clinic located on Boundary Roadof Mymensingh town. The YES group of CCC Mymensinghundertook this initiative on the compound of Muslim GirlsSchool and College on 13 September. The Principalassembled all students of school and college branchesduring Tiffin time and explained to them about the purpose ofthis campaign. Later, the YES members gave an explanationon the why and how of school clinic and who can obtainservices from it.

Some notable changes have occurred through thisongoing initiative. The office of the Civil Surgeon has madeenquiry about the school health clinic and strengthened thesupervision of doctors. A letter was issued titled ‘provisionof free healthcare services and free medicine’ and sent tothe headmasters of various schools in the municipality. Aworkshop was held with the medical officers working onschool health. A weighing machine was given from theoffice of Civil Surgeon. A motor cycle was also given forinspection of schools by the doctors. A chart containingdetails about establishment of school health clinic andemployed manpower was hung in the doctor’s room.

M. Hafizuddin Khan speaking at the opinion-exchange meeting

The YES group of CCC Patiya set up Advice and Information Desk

‘Face the Public’ programme at Nayabil Union

TI NEWS


Corruption Perceptions Index 2007 Bangladesh ranked 7th from below

On September 26, 2007 theBerlin-based international anti-corruption organization,

Transparency International (TI) hasreleased its annual CorruptionPerception Index (CPI) for 2007. In ascale of 0-10, the index providesinternational ranking of countries interms of perceived degree ofprevalence of political andadministrative corruption. The resultsshow that Bangladesh has scored 2.0

points and has been ranked 7th from

below, which is 162nd among 180countries included in the index this year.In the same position with the samescore as Bangladesh are five othercountries - Cambodia, Central AfricanRepublic, Papua New Guinea,Turkmenistan and Venezuela. TIBorganized a press conference at National Press Club forreleasing the report.

It may be recalled that Bangladesh was earlier placed atthe bottom of the list for the fifth successive year from2001-2005. Last year Bangladesh was ranked in no 3.Notably, while most low scoring countries continueddownward trend, and even many high-ranking countriesalso received lower scores in 2007, Bangladesh wassuccessful in resisting this and has remained steady inscore at 2.0. In this sense, Bangladesh has shownimproved performance compared to 9 countries thatformerly scored better.

This year Somalia and Myanmar have been ranked at thebottom of the list implying that in these two countriescorruption is perceived to be highest, followed by Iraq and

Haiti in the 2nd and 3rd positions respectively. In the 4th

position jointly ranked are Uzbekistan and Tonga, followed

by Sudan, Chad and Afghanistan in the joint 5th positionwhile Democratic Republic of Congo, Equitorial Guinea,

Laos and Guinea have been ranked in the 6th position.

At the other end, among countries where corruption isperceived to be lowest are Denmark, Finland and NewZealand sharing the top position with each scoring 9.4.Immediately following them is the highest ranking Asiancountry, Singapore, scoring of 9.3 jointly with Sweden.

Bangladesh’s ranking has improved from last year’s 3rd to

the 7th this year, but the score achieved has remainedsteady at 2.0. This may be because of the followingreasons.

Firstly, in terms of score, the index gives a 2-year rollingaverage. Data collected till the end July 2007 was included

in this year’s index, which means that CPI 2007 wasrelatively more influenced by data from 2006.

Secondly, the index draws on corruption related data fromexpert and business surveys. Hence it is quite likely that aperceived sense of insecurity and uncertainty that is widelybelieved to have prevailed among the business communityin the wake of the post 1/11 anti-corruption drive inBangladesh may have prevented the possibility of a betterscore.

Finally, it has also apparently been too early for institutionalreform measures initiated by the present government toinfluence CPI. Initiatives such as separation of theJudiciary, reform of the Election Commission, Anti-corruption Commission and Public Service Commission aswell as making corruption punishable and ratification of theUN Convention against Corruption are likely to impact CPIonly in the years to come when positive impact of suchreforms would be more clearly discernible.

In any case, it should be emphasized that while other poorscoring countries continued downward spiral, Bangladeshwas successful in remaining steady. As a result,Bangladesh beat 10 other countries that formerly scoredbetter.

Corruption, Poverty and InstitutionsThe CPI presents a measure of perceptions of publicsector corruption. It is a composite index that draws on 14expert opinion surveys. Countries are scored on a scalefrom zero to ten, with zero indicating high level ofperceived corruption and ten indicating low level ofperceived corruption.

A strong correlation between corruption and povertycontinues to be evident. Most of the countries belonging to

TI NEWS


information regulations and a civil society free to exerciseoversight.

However, CPI’s top scorers are also implicated inwidespread corruption in developing countries. Bribemoney often stems from multinationals based in theworld’s richest countries. In addition, global financialcentres continue to play a pivotal role in allowing corruptofficials to move, hide and invest their illicitly gainedwealth. The CPI 2007 once again reiterates that thedeveloped and developing countries must shareresponsibility for reducing corruption, in tackling both thesupply and demand sides.

the low-income category have scored below 3, indicatingthat rampant corruption in such countries continues toincrease poverty and prevent development.

On the other hand a number of relatively poor countrieshave managed to contain corruption to a degree, scoringwell on the CPI, including Botswana, Cape Verde, Chile,Dominica, Estonia, Ghana, Samoa, Senegal, St. Lucia,and Uruguay. They prove that it is possible to break out ofthe vicious cycle of poverty and corruption. At the sametime, troubled states such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Myanmar,Somalia, and Sudan remain at the very bottom of theindex.

Low scores in the CPI indicate that public institutions areheavily compromised. The first order of business is toimprove effectiveness of the institutions, especiallytransparency in financial management, from revenuecollection to expenditure. Equally important is to put an endto the impunity of the corrupt.

Corruption is a problem with global roots According to the index the divide in perceived levels ofcorruption in rich and poor countries remains as sharp asever. The top scores of wealthy countries and territories,largely in Europe, East Asia and North America, reflecttheir relatively cleaner public sectors, enabled by politicalwill, well-established conflict of interest and freedom of

Press conference on CPI release

South Asia

Country 2001 (91 Countries) 2002 (102Countries) 2003 (133Countries) 2004 (146Countries) 2005 (159Countries) 2006 (163Countries) 2007 (180Countries)

Score Place Score Place Score Place Score Place Score Place Score Place Score Place

Bangladesh 0.4 91 1.2 102 1.3 133 1.5 145 1.7 158 2.0 156 2.0 162

India 2.7 71 2.7 71 2.8 83 2.8 90 2.9 88 3.3 70 3.5 72

Nepal * * * 2.8 90 2.5 117 2.5 121 2.5 131

Pakistan 2.3 79 2.6 77 2.5 92 2.1 129 2.1 144 2.2 142 2.4 138

Sri Lanka * 3.7 52 3.4 66 3.5 67 3.2 78 3.1 84 3.2 94

Bhutan * * * * * 6.0 32 5.0 46

Maldives * * * * * * 3.3 84

South-East Asia

Myanmar * * 1.6 129 1.7 142 1.8 155 1.9 160 1.4 179

Afghanistan * * * * 2.5 117 * 1.8 172

Indonesia 1.9 88 1.9 96 1.9 122 2.0 133 2.2 137 2.4 130 2.3 143

Malaysia 5.0 36 4.9 33 5.2 37 5.0 39 5.1 39 5.0 44 5.1 43

Philippines 2.9 65 2.6 77 2.5 92 2.6 102 2.5 117 2.5 121 2.5 131

Thailand 3.2 61 3.2 64 3.3 70 3.6 64 3.8 59 3.6 63 3.3 84

Singapore 9.2 4 9.3 5 9.4 5 9.3 5 9.4 5 9.4 5 9.3 4

Hongkong 7.9 14 8.2 14 8.0 14 8.0 16 8.3 15 8.3 15 8.3 14

Taiwan 5.9 27 5.6 29 5.7 30 5.6 35 5.9 32 5.9 34 5.7 34

South Korea 4.2 42 4.5 40 4.3 50 4.5 47 5.0 40 5.1 42 5.1 43

* Not Included in the Scale

Table: Comparison of 17 Countries According to the Scale

‘Members’ Day - July 2007’ was held at TIB on 19 July.This event, held with the participation of TIB membersand moderated by the Executive Director, was anopen-house programme. At the begining of themeeting, the TIB Executive Director made a short briefon the ongoing programmes of TIB for promoting goodgovernance, transparency and accountability. Heinformed about the release of a number of investigativereports on organizations which are part of the nationalintegrity system and the initiatives taken by the presentcaretaker government for institutional strengthening ofthese organizations in the light of those research. He also informed that the TIB and ACC (Anti-Corruption Commission)will work together for strengthening the movement against corruption. The members presented their well-consideredopinions on the role of TIB in curbing corruption and establishing good governance from the policy up to the local levelsas well as on the anti-corruption programme. Besides, spontaneous discussion took place on how the members couldactively participate for gearing up TIB activities. A recently produced documentary film on the AI-Desk was screened afterthis meeting, which took place at the TIB office.

LAST PAGE

Executive Editor : Mohammed Imam Uddin

Executive Committee : Lovely Yeasmin Jeba, Shahzada M Akram, Saif Uddin Ahmed, Saifullah Tareq, Md. Zahidul Islam, Shamim IftekharShahanaz Momotaz Bithe, Khaleda Akter, Lipi Amena, Khandoker Shohel Rana, Maksuda Afroz, Wasim Reza ChowdhuryHossain Sharif Rabbi, Dilruba Begum Monalisa and Sayeed Al Russel

waves : TIB Newsletter

Progress Tower (5th floor), House-1, Road-23, Gulshan-1, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh.Phone: 9887884, 8826036, Fax – (880-2) 9884811

E-mail: [email protected], Website: www.ti-bangladesh.org

Participation of the youth

‘Our student community is harmed most due tocorruption. So the time has come now to combat it; toresist it. The student community has to come forwardin this resistance, because the blight of corruptionhas not yet touched their intellect. I conveymy sincere thanks to the chairman ofAnti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Lt.General Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury formaking such a comment about the studentcommunity. I believe, alongside guardians,text-books of schools, colleges anduniversities can generate awareness againstcorruption. So, let ‘Invincible youth shall surelyresist corruption’ be our only pledge. TIB hascreated unique opportunities for involving thecountry’s youths in anti-corruption activities,inculcating anti-corruption values, generatingawareness and ensuring their active participation inanti-corruption movement. I thank TIB for that.

Amit Banik, YES Member Kishoreganj

Drive Against Corruption

The ongoing drive against corruption has broughtrelief to the countrymen. The institutionswhich were supposed to play an activerole in curbing corruption were mostlyineffective in the past. The peoplewere expecting a well-governedBangladesh. An active Anti-Corruption Commission, effectiveparliament, neutral ElectionCommission, independentPublic Service Commissionetc. were needed for this.The present caretakergovernment has taken

various steps for reform of theseinstitutions. They are waging a

campaign against corruption. I extend mythanks for writing about these in the cover-story ofApril-June’07 issue of TIB Newsletter.

Farhana Azad, Golapbag, Dhaka

Members’ Day

Members present in the TIB Members’ Day

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