Systems loss?
During the last two decades, the Bangladeshis were introduced to an old but hidden culture (so long taboo); the term “systems loss” frequently appeared in the media news and reports. One analyst termed it is as a part of entropy, a scientific term familiar to the students of science. Some examples from daily life are cited below.
The political masters (and ex-rulers) never mentioned the subject or philosophy; for obvious reasons: why display the other (negative) side of the coin? Now the ACC has come out with some unbelievable exposures; thereby filling up the jail cells (no five-star jails in Dhaka yet!).
Beware of adopting shortcuts in life. Nothing in life is free, you have to pay or compensate for it directly or indirectly; in money or services. For shopping you need cash. You can buy on credit, but pay more.
There is the eternal Law of Compensation, which applies in natural and man-made situations (in economics, politics, public services, for example). Newton's Third Law is a part of it; every action has equal and opposite reaction. Apply it to incidents in your own life, and confirm, Entropy is similar--the use of energy for various purposes, and its consequences or results. Energy is never created or lost; it is converted into different forms, some direct, some indirect.
Now apply it to bribery and corruption, based on your own observations. black-marketing is one example; making excessive profit (not in public interest). Corrupt practices in public services are very common. Consider the economic law of supply and demand in a market. In capitalism, competition reduces prices, and enhances services.
Look at the mobile telephone market in Bangladesh today; and compare it with the BTTB landline services. BTTB is now being privatised!
Guideline: automate, computerise; reduce the number of human contracts in a system; digitalize. Now pre-paid cards are available; no queues for payment of bills. Open more one-stop service centres--less palm-greasing points!
Monopoly comes in. The LGCs, the SOEs (state-owned enterprises) run most of the services. Monopoly, plus supply less than demand; apply to RAJUK, BTTB and other agencies. Black marketing, black wealth, bribery, corruption, hoarding, are part of the network.
Add one more sector; the misuse of power and position. Apply it to the peoples' representatives. It is not difficult to grasp why so many persons are detained in jails, facing court decisions, or prosecuted legally. Could not resist temptation--as simple as that!
Notice how many veteran political leaders have announced their retirement. Indispensable, immortal? Man is mortal. What is the theme in the US presidential election campaign? CHANGE.
Then comes checks and counter-checks by the authorities concerned: the poor and corrupted monitoring and feedback systems in the past regimes. The inspectors and field officials have to detect, catch and prosecute. The irregularities in processing a case in an office have to be checked and pointed out--the rules have to be followed and applied, neutrally, without fear or favour. Some VIPs think they were above the law.
If a system (open or closed) is infected, the virus spreads. Corrupt practice is not a one-person job. It needs a chain. Others know, and keep quiet. The cascading effect is enormous; and after some time, the snowballing effect cannot be controlled.
What we see today is the application of a simple formula: “Easy come; easy go”. The trips to foreign hospitals several times a year are understandable. No barkat (spiritual blessing) in earning. Black wealth cannot be hidden--it is the law of entropy or compensation.
What the restricted political leaders are parroting today in the media? Go back to the good old days? Get visa from the 60 million voters!
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