The Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has strongly lamented a move to amend the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules 1979 repealing government servants' obligation to submit their wealth statements.
Expressing a profound concern, the TIB has highlighted that the initiative could shield and embolden nearly 1.5 million government employees from accountability and corruption.
The anti-graft watchdog has urged the cancellation of this move, expressing profound dismay over its potential consequences.
Citing the media reports, the TIB said, "The Ministry of Public Administration has initiated an amendment to the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules 1979, aiming to repeal the requirement for government officials to submit asset statements."
Following scrutiny of the draft amendment by the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs, it will be forwarded to the Committee on Administrative Development for further consideration, it said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman has expressed grave concerns over the decision to abolish the asset statement submission rule, asserting that it could embolden dishonest government officials to engage in corruption.
He said, "The proposed amendment contradicts the government's electoral promise and commitment to zero tolerance against corruption at the highest levels."
"Initially, the obligation was to submit wealth statements annually, which was later relaxed to every five years due to government employees' reluctance," he stated.
However, many government servants failed to adhere to even this extended timeframe, neglecting to update their asset statements though they submit the statements at the beginning of their employment, Dr Zaman pointed out.
It is evident that the absence of asset statement submissions could lead to increased corruption among government employees, facilitate the accumulation of illicit wealth, exacerbate difficulties for citizens seeking government services, escalate illegal financial transactions, and ultimately undermine efforts to establish a well-governed system, Dr Iftekharuzzaman said.
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