TIB for disclosure of defence budget share in parliament

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has called for thorough disclosure of defence budgetary allocation in the ongoing budget session in order to establish transparency and accountability.
Local chapter of the Transparency International (TI) in a statement issued Tuesday hailed the recent comment of the Finance Minister at Parliament on the issue saying the TIB was encouraged by the statement that budgetary allocation for the defence ministry would be disclosed in the future.
"It will in turn enhance public support to defence spending if the government makes public such allocations in the ongoing budgetary session," TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekhruzzaman said.
The statement said openness in defence expenditure was indispensable not only because it claims one of the highest allocations of the annual national budget, but also for the credibility of the defence sector itself.
"People have the right to have more specific information than practised, because defence involves public money in public interest. Instead of treating defence as an 'untouchable sector' this highly important area of national interest must be subject to open debate for the sake of people's trust," it said.
The TIB Executive Director also called for introduction of the culture of regular monitoring of the defence budgetary allocation and its expenditure by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Defence.
He also emphasised necessary reforms of laws in respect to defence-related purchase to ensure parliamentary monitoring in order to reduce the space of corruption in purchasing materials for the ministry.
However, in the face of criticism over not giving any explanation for the allocation of the Defence Ministry, Finance Minister AMA Muhith on Monday last said there would be comprehensive statements on the budgetary allocation for the Defence Ministry in the future.