Blaming top bureaucrats for widespread corruption in the country, Law Minister Barrister Shafique Ahmed Saturday said the vice cannot be eliminated by only raising their pays and perks, repoirts UNB.

"I don't believe only salary hike can prevent corruption, but I do believe accountability and regular monitoring can prevent malpractices of all degrees to a large extent," he said.

Barrister Shafique was addressing the concluding function of a workshop titled 'Implementation of United Nations Convention against Corruption: Action Plan of Compliance' at a city hotel in the afternoon.

Senior officials of government and non-government organizations and experts joined the daylong workshop to work out a plan for implementing the recommendations of the United Nations Convention against Corruption.

The Law Minister said top officials of the government, mainly serving in managerial and administrative posts, must check corruption and the abuse of power in their own houses through changing their mindsets.

"They (senior govt officials) must develop a monitoring system in their organizations so that no one can abuse his or her power, avoid responsibility in performing his/her duties," the Law Minister said.

He warned that these senior officials would be held responsible for corruption if they fail to check such vice. "They know it very well who commit corruption but they hardly utter a word about it."

Laying emphasis on prevention than punishment, the minister said, "Just warn the corrupt officials first, ask them to give up the bad practice and apply medicine later if it doesn't work."

Worried at the widespread corruption in every sector, Barrister Shafique said police officials themselves are corrupt and you may also find corrupt officials in the Anti-corruption Commission. "Then who will investigate the allegations of corruption?" he asked.

"So, it'll the best mechanism to check corruption through monitoring and awareness campaign," he said.

The Law Minister urged the government officials not to allow anyone to indulge in corruption and build awareness among the officials against underhand dealings as it is high time to prevent corruption.

Replying to a proposal put forward by some government officials to raise salaries, the minister said the number of service holders is small, especially in the public sector. "So how can you say the salary hike of a particular group can prevent corruption in society?"

About the Truth and Accountability Commission (TAC) activities, he said it was proved that top government officials were involved in corruption as they went to TAC seeking amnesty.

The Law Minister said the government would issue directives to the top officials to develop a monitoring system in their organizations and they will have to find out who are involved in corruption. "They'll be held responsible if they fail to do that," he said.

He emphasized social coordination to prevent corruption and sought support from all in this regard.

Supporting German Ambassador Frank Makey that elimination of corruption is needed to attract foreign investment, the minister said the officials would have to ensure a corruption-free country to do that.

Earlier, State Minister for Law Advocate Kamrul Islam, who joined the function as special guest, said the government has taken necessary steps to strengthen the Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) to combat corruption. He said the ACC would work freely and it will be ensured at any cost.