TRANSPARENCY International Bangladesh (TIB) has prepared the corruption database 2005 drawing upon published newspaper reports on graft for the same year. Although the analytical study, focused on reported corruption incidents, keeps out of major graft scams, the damage done to the economy nonetheless appears considerable. Taka 526.27 crore were lost through 2128 instances of bribery and graft in 2005. Still, it is the tip of the iceberg if it were possible to quantify all the underhand dealings that went unreported, undetected.

Whatever magnitude of corruption, based on newspaper reports, the TIB has telescoped has been corroborated by further investigation and cross checking with the stakeholders by them. So the authenticity of most newspaper reports is a proven fact.

Whenever corruption is highlighted by the newspapers they are blamed for spoiling the image of the country. Similar castigation is lotted to the TIB studies, reports, analyses and perception rankings on incidence of corruption. Without being so critical of and sensitive to the negative corruption-ridden reputation of the country and squandering money and energy on so-called image-lifting lobbies, if the government had minded the business of stamping out corruption from within much better dividends could accrue to the country.

Basically, what has the government done to prevent corruption? As for the abuse of power, the biggest vehicle for the promotion of graft, has the government tried to clip the powers of those who are close to power? Those who are to set examples of honesty have themselves become iconic figures in corruption.

The anti-corruption commission (ACC) created with high hopes has turned out a farcical body. Although like the anticorruption bureau ACC is not an appendage to the PM's office, it remains financially, logistically and even operatively dependent on ministries of finance and establishment. It has been allowed to roll without the needed struc-