Lottery system can be an effective initiative in preventing corruption

One of the primary causes of corruption in Bangladesh is the business of appointments and transfers. An organized syndicate of brokers and middlemen extorts tens of millions of taka by lobbying for transfers and promotions in government jobs. During the tenure of every government, they penetrate the inner corridors of administration to lobby. Whichever party comes to power, these brokers quickly align themselves with it, effortlessly changing their colors. Because of them, corruption spreads throughout the administration and damages the government's reputation.

When a public servant secures a desired position by paying a bribe running into millions, his primary task becomes recovering that spent bribe. Consequently, upon assuming the new role, instead of serving the public, he gets entangled in corruption. Since he bought his seat with a bribe, that government employee remains above accountability. This is how corruption spreads across government offices.

Since taking responsibility, the BNP government under the leadership of Tarique Rahman has taken a strict stance against corruption. The Prime Minister has declared a zero-tolerance policy against corruption. Tarique Rahman has taken multidimensional initiatives to prevent corruption. Among these, he is personally following austerity measures and taking effective steps to stop waste at every level of government. However, one of the Prime Minister’s most effective steps in curbing corruption is introducing a lottery system for transfers and postings in government offices. Already, under the Prime Minister's instructions, transfer through a lottery system has been launched for several positions.

Recently, for the first time in the country, sub-registrars were transferred through a lottery system. The Ministry of Law conducted these transfers via lottery to ensure transparency in the transfer process. As a result, corruption in this position—traditionally known to be corrupt—has decreased significantly. This has proven to be an effective measure in preventing corruption.

In the past, postings in land offices were a goldmine for bribery. Bribes mainly revolved around the position of the sub-registrar. These sub-registrars were the primary collectors in this sector, collecting money directly from the public. This money was then distributed according to rank, all the way to the highest level. Certain sub-registrar positions were practically sold at auctions. Securing a sub-registrar posting in places like Gulshan, Gazipur, Roopganj, or Keraniganj required tens of millions of taka. By introducing transfers through a lottery, the government has taken an effective step toward stopping corruption in this sector.

However, while corruption in sub-registrar postings has decreased, the transfer and posting business among other government employees still continues. Brokers and middlemen remain active across various government departments.

It is not just sub-registrars—from managing directors of state-owned banks to doctors, the tendency to lobby and exchange bribes for transfers is still observed across all government roles. The practice of making transactions through brokers to get transferred to preferred locations in Bangladeshi government service—from the highest to the lowest tiers—is a long-standing tradition. Certain lucrative posts are sold for tens of millions of taka. The first task of an officer transferred at such immense cost is to recover his investment. After that, keeping the future in mind, he gets busy feathering his own nest. From secretaries down to lower-tier officers, bribes must be paid to secure lucrative positions. Employees too must offer kickbacks for desirable postings. There are designated posts in government service where posting without money is impossible. Furthermore, the price of a post increases or decreases depending on the area. Investigations show that there are at least 25 such posts where a transfer is impossible without money.

One of the country's most corrupt sectors is the law enforcement agency. Here, corruption is primarily centered around police stations (thana). In the past, becoming an Officer-in-Charge (OC) at a police station in upscale areas like Gulshan, Banani, or Dhanmondi required spending 100 to 150 million taka. According to those concerned, the situation has not changed significantly. Not just OCs, even securing a constable post in these stations costs hundreds of thousands of taka.

When a police officer secures a position by paying a bribe, how can he remain honest?

Bribery and money transfers also occur in the posting of lower court judges. Former Law Adviser Asif Nazrul broke all past records of taking bribes for judge transfers. During that period, transactions worth tens of millions of taka took place for the transfer of lower court judges. The highest bribes were required for postings in and around Dhaka.

During the Yunus regime, public money transactions occurred openly for postings and promotions at the secretary level. The Public Administration Secretary was transferred over allegations of irregularities and corruption in DC (Deputy Commissioner) appointments. Sensational news of transfer trading was published in the media during that time.

There are also allegations of tens of millions of taka changing hands in bribes to become MDs of state-owned banks and insurance companies. Recently, reports of several middlemen and brokers involvement have surfaced regarding MD appointments in a few banks.

In departments like the Forest Department, Public Works Department, Roads and Highways Department, and Local Government Engineering Department, higher posts are far more expensive than lower ones. In 2023, a Chief Engineer position was sold for a hundred million taka.

In these government offices, there are certain designated districts and posts that are literally auctioned off for transfers.

Trading occurs in doctor postings as well. A doctor has to pay hundreds of thousands of taka to get transferred to Dhaka. No doctor wants to stay outside Dhaka because everything is Dhaka-centric and Dhaka-bound. During the Yunus administration, 3,000 medical officers and 500 staff members were reshuffled. Such rapid transfers had never occurred in the directorate before. Many transferred doctors did not join their workplaces at the district and sub-district levels; instead, they lobbied to get transferred back to Dhaka and its surroundings. Consequently, there are no doctors in the villages.

As a result of this transfer and posting business, a corrupt broker class has emerged that is polluting and corrupting the entire administrative system, while citizens are deprived of proper services.

Encouragingly, the government of Tarique Rahman has taken initiatives to plug this source of corruption.

To change this situation, a lottery system was introduced for the first time in sub-registrar transfers. This is an extraordinary initiative. Consequently, corruption in one of the country's most corrupt sectors has begun to decline significantly. Those who received postings as sub-registrars in important and lucrative areas through a lottery without paying bribes are no longer immersed in corruption like hungry predators. They are remaining accountable to the public and focusing on public service. The commendable step the government has taken to stop corruption through lottery transfers of sub-registrars can be emulated by other ministries as well.

We have already seen that several ministries have taken steps to implement postings through lotteries. The Ministry has announced that Executive Engineers of the Public Works Department are being transferred and posted through a lottery. The ministry stated that this initiative was taken to eliminate transfer trading, ensure transparency and accountability, and post qualified individuals in appropriate positions.

A lottery system could also be arranged for appointing chief executives in state-owned banks and insurance companies by creating a fit-list of eligible candidates. This would not only reduce corruption but also restore transparency and discipline to the banking sector.

All government service institutions can adopt this method for transfers and postings. For instance, appointments of Deputy Commissioners (DCs) often stir controversy. However, if the Ministry of Public Administration determines who gets posted to which district through a lottery among eligible candidates on a fit-list, controversy can easily be avoided. Similarly, this method offers a simple solution for transfers of Police Station Officers-in-Charge or doctors.

If a government officer or employee assumes a post without paying a bribe, he will not become corrupt. Furthermore, he will come under accountability and strive to gain the public's trust through good work, creating a strong anti-corruption atmosphere.

Therefore, posting and transfer through a lottery can be one of the key tools in Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s war on corruption. Instead of limiting it to a few government departments, the lottery system can be phased in across all government institutions to eliminate transfer and posting trading. This could significantly contribute to the success of the current government's anti-corruption campaign.

Audite Karim, Writer and Playwright. Email: [email protected]