Corruption poses major blockades to all forms of development including sustainable development, inclusive economic growth, minimizing income disparity, poverty reduction, human and psychological imbalance, etc.
Fighting corruption is a precondition for economic development and the establishment of an equitable society. Bangladesh government has taken effective measures, strategies, instruments and techniques including legal framework for preventing and combating corruption in Bangladesh.
Professor Dr. Md. Salim Uddin, FCA, FCMA, Chairman of Executive Committee of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited and Bangladesh House Building Finance Corporation (BHBFC) while presenting a paper on “Combating Corruption in Bangladesh” in SAFA (South Asian Federation of Accountants) conference in Sri Lanka.
Dr. Salim discussed a list of laws, rules and regulation enacted in Bangladesh with a desire to curb corruption and take disciplinary actions against corruption. He mentioned some very important strategies, policies, plans, programs and conventions such as the National Integrity Strategy, information commission, etc promoting good governance strategy to prevent corruption and improve integrity in all spheres of life.
As Vice President of ICAB (The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh), Dr. Salim also attended the SAFA Committee Meeting of Accounting Standards. A large number of certified accountants from South Asian countries including Bangladesh and other experts participated in the conference.
Dr. Salim discussed 53 Global List of Anti-Corruption Measures/Instruments used by the different countries of the world for preventing, combating and controlling corruption.
He also mentioned that Anti Corruption Commission has formed Corruption Prevention Committees (CPC) in all the cities/metropolitan cities, districts, upazilas, even at union levels, including the enlightened personalities of the society. The Anti-Corruption Commission in association with the CPCs has formed 26,213 "Integrity Units", comprising students from schools, colleges and madrasas with the objective to forge up the values of honesty and integrity among the young generation.
He concluded that there are many people in Bangladesh who do not consider combating the corruption as a regulatory function; they rather consider it as a welfare activity. Control of corruption is not only the control of offences; it is rather a means to facilitate the pace of development. Preventing Corruption and Promoting Good Practices, inclusive Programs against Corruption and Social Power-Based Participatory Movement for Corruption Prevention are essential.