The New Nation - Internet Edition

The Army Chief of Staff General Moeen U Ahmed is reported to have made mention of the caretaker government's plan to introduce a Truth Commission to give people accused of corruption an option to admit to their wrong deals, pay penalties for those and thus avoid court proceeding and going to jail.

The reported statement is a clear indication that the move for the constitution of the said commission, as aired by the Adviser for Law, Justice, Parliamentary Affairs and Information, is being given a serious thought at the highest level. The government particularly wants to remove all fears from the minds of the business community so that they engage fully to revive the economic activities.

Early last month Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed and the Army Chief heard business people at a dialogue held in the city and sought to allay all fears. The anti-corruption drive launched after the declaration of the state of emergency on 11 January last led to drastic action against some erring leading businessmen. Their confinement in jails, or hiding abroad however, adversely affected the industrial and commercial concerns run by them.

Because of some drastic actions taken at the early stage of the drive some other business people chose to avoid engaging in big business deals with a view to keeping themselves free from hassles. The proposal to establish a Truth Commission is intended to strengthen the confidence-building activities of the government by opening a window of opportunity for those businessmen who indulged in corruption to avoid prison terms as per the law.

Economists are already forecasting a decline in the growth rate of the economy from last year's 6.5 per cent due to slowdown in economic activities. Due to fall in imports and investment the foreign exchange reserve with the Bangladesh Bank has crossed the five billion dollars mark while the excess liquidity with the banks has crossed Taka 15,000 crore. These indicate that the recession might turn from bad to worse unless some remedial measures are taken right now. Export earnings also show a declining trend, the blue chip garment sector also having a share in the decline.

Against this backdrop, there could be no better offer than giving an opportunity to people to admit their guilt and buy freedom to engage in normal business activities. Such opportunities are provided in many countries of the world allowing people to reform themselves by voluntarily making confessions. This also reduces the pressure on the government and the law enforcing agency to identify, haul up, try and punish corrupt people.

A radical measure like this is most needed also because of the bad shape in which two successive waves of floods have left the economy which had already been over stretched by price hike of oil and most essential commodities at international markets.

The message has been driven home loud and clear that corrupt activities would not go unpunished. But now, economic compulsions demand that the government utilises the expertise and experience of business people, encourage them to invest in productive activities, increase employment, add value to things and revive the economy.

We believe many politicians accused of corruption would also like to avail this opportunity, even if they are barred from doing politics.

The proposed Truth Commission thus should be set up and made to operate the soonest, specially for the consideration of the country's economy.

Once the law on the proposed Truth Commission is promulgated people belonging to other occupations would also be able to benefit from its advantages.