TIB against whitening
Transparency International Bangladesh yesterday called upon the government not to give amnesty to black money in the upcoming budget, describing such privileges as unconstitutional, unethical and discriminatory.
It also urged the government to specify budget allocations for the defence sector, ensuring transparency, openness and accountability to taxpayers.
“This is important not because defence is one of the sectors having high allocations, but to establish openness and trustworthiness of the sector,” TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said in a press release issued yesterday.
The Bangladesh chapter of the Berlin-based organisation appreciated what it learnt from the media, namely, that the government this time would refrain from granting the scope for legalising of black money, he said.
“We reiterate our call to the government not to bow down to any pressure from any vested quarter,” the TIB official said, adding that such an opportunity contradicted Section 20(2) of the constitution, according to which persons shall not be able to enjoy unearned incomes.
“Such unethical scope actually encourages irregularities and corruption and discourages honesty. At the same time, it portrays the government as the protector and helping hand of corruption,” the TIB statement says.
Whitening of illicit money is an example of moral degradation and does not boost the country's economy at all.
It is not even generating any notable amount of revenue. Rather, those who are benefiting out of corruption get control over the policy structure, which is a matter of increasing concern, the official of the anti-corruption watchdog said.
Keeping the provision to legalise undisclosed or black money also contradicts the ruling party's pledges in its current five-year plan and the long-term plan, Vision 2021, as well.
About the defence budget, TIB said only a tiny portion of the allocation for the sector was being made public every year but people had the right to know in detail, as the budget was meant to serve people's interests.
It urged the government not to consider that the defence sector was beyond everyone's reach. Rather, it is of great national interest, TIB said, adding that the government should arrange open discussions on the defence budget to gain public support.
TIB also demanded that the government publish a quarterly progress report on implementation of the national budget and expenditure of the annual development programme so that people get the scope to examine those.
“The government should upload on websites or other accessible medium detailed and updated information about the expenditure,” the statement adds.
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