The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Rajshahi

Participants at a daylong divisional consultation here today underlined the need for intensifying the anti-corruption drive in the greater interest of consolidating the country's democracy.

In this context, they viewed that collective efforts by all conscious people could play a vital role in reducing the corruption.

"Awareness and participation of citizens cannot only help reduce corruption but also form the building blocks for strengthening the national integrity system," they further said while taking part in the discussion titled "Engaging citizens in promoting governance, accountability, transparency and integrity to reduce corruption".

USAID under its 'Promoting Governance, Accountability, Transparency and Integrity (PROGATI) project' arranged the consultation meeting at the Pick Cassia Conference Hall of Jafar Imam Tennis Complex.

Main thrust of the consultation was to bring together government agencies, civil society organisations, NGOs and media outlets to work together for fair, just and better governed society to build more transparent and accountable stewardship of public resources of the country.

Civil Society Component Manager of the project Amita Dey addressed the occasion as the focal person with former Mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation Advocate Abdul Hadi in the chair.

Assistant Professor Shatil Siraj of the Mass Communication and Journalism Department of Rajshahi University presented a keynote paper at the meeting with participation of around 85 stakeholders from all the 16 districts under Rajshahi division.

During the group discussions, the participants pointed out that corruption undermines economic development, increases poverty, exploitation and injustice, prevents good governance, accountability, and creates socio-political instability and insecurity.

To reduce the corruption, they also put forward a set of recommendations including rising awareness among general people and formation of a social watchdog.