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Appalling instance of pilferage of collected revenue

No public service outlet free from corruption -- not even post offices!
4 July 2010, 18:00 PM
EDITORIAL
THE news is so stunning that it defies credulity, and it can perhaps happen only in Bangladesh. According to a report appearing in this newspaper, the public exchequer has been losing an amount to the tune of Taka one hundred crore every year from a once dependable public sector institution. And all because, money deposited in many of the post offices in the country, on account of motor vehicle fees and taxes by the public, are not being documented and accounted for as per the rules. We find it rather incomprehensible that government agencies and service providers continue to defy the rules and procedures of handling public money with such impunity. Where are the annual audit and other oversight mechanisms that we know exist, to keep a tab on departments involved in revenue collection? So much for good governance, oversight and honesty of the public sector! What makes the matter more indefensible and unpardonable is the fact such reports have been appearing in the media from time to time for many years. And despite that, as well as the fact that it was state revenue that was being misappropriated, no attempt had been made to effectively stop the loss. We have not heard of anyone being brought to book for such large scale corruption. We are shamed by the regime of impunity that has allowed the insidious practice to go on unchecked and unabated in a frequently used public service outlet. What the matter boils down to is the issue of governance. Regrettably, such practices are increasing both in numbers and spread, in scope and intensity. Whether it is the law enforcing agencies not working within the bounds of law, or the public service providers making service dearer by their unscrupulous demands, the pervasiveness of poor governance is on the increase. And regrettably, either the government is deliberately overlooking the issue or unable to stop the hemorrhage, a dangerous proposition on both counts for any society. The idea of an alternative mechanism to collect taxes on motor vehicles is being contemplated through online collection. It may be a good idea, but we would like to ask what of the many crores of government revenue that have been lost through misappropriation. What about those that have indulged in the unscrupulous act? While we express our outrage we also demand that exemplary punishment be meted out to persons involved in the embezzlement of public money.

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