It is truly disheartening how, despite claims of progress and development, citizens continue to endure harassment, bribery, and endless delays in accessing even the most basic public services.
To that end, Transparency International Bangladesh’s revelation that passport services top the corruption list is unsurprising. What should be routine, obtaining a passport, has become nothing if not a labyrinth of exploitation. The passport office is of course not an isolated case but a symptom of a deeper malaise. To call how we receive public services any form of service delivery would be generous.
Corruption in public services has played a major role in eroding trust in the government. Indeed, when citizens must pay bribes simply to secure documents, licenses, or utilities, they are certainly not being served but rather are being preyed upon.
What is even more egregious is that historically, such practices have disproportionately harmed the poor and middle class, who lack the connections or resources to bypass corrupt systems. Much like always, the affluent classes face little to no issues.
It is about time the government stopped treating corruption as an unfortunate side effect of bureaucracy, especially when it comes to public service delivery. It must be acknowledged for what it is: A systemic failure that demands systemic reform.
Bangladesh may have made strides in expanding access to services, but expansion without accountability only multiplies opportunities for graft, which is what we have seen over the years. Citizens deserve services that are transparent, predictable, and fair. They deserve a system where rights are guaranteed, not negotiated through bribes.
Tackling corruption in service delivery is a foundational element of governance. Public services must serve the people, not exploit them.