Interim government takes steps to publish full asset disclosures of advisers

After the Yunus-led caretaker government took office on August 8, all government employees were ordered to submit asset declarations.

September 19, 2024, 10:10 AM

Last Modified: September 19, 2024, 10:17 AM

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In order to increase transparency and build public confidence in the financial integrity of public officials, the interim government has decided to disclose the asset declarations of all members of the Advisory Council and other officials of equivalent rank.

A draft policy outlining the requirement is expected to be approved at an advisory council meeting on Thursday, according to officials familiar with the matter.

Officials involved in the process told TBS that under the new policy, advisers’ fixed and temporary assets will be made public on an annual basis.

The policy follows a promise made by the transitional government’s chief advisor, Muhammad Yunus, during his first address to the nation.

“Our advisors will publish the details of the assets as soon as possible. Over time, this will become regular and mandatory for all government officials,” Yunus said.

Additionally, the chief counsel announced plans to draft an ordinance to establish an ombudsman to combat corruption at the state level.

After the Yunus-led caretaker government took office on August 8, all government employees were ordered to submit asset declarations.

The interim management wants to make public the financial declarations of the Advisory Council members and their counterparts to the employees.

There have long been calls for greater transparency to combat corruption at the state level, including demands to publish asset declarations of ministers, members of parliament and officials.

Previous governments, including the Awami League in its 2008 election manifesto, had promised such disclosures but failed to deliver.

Recent declarations made during the general and parish council elections have shown significant increases in the wealth of various Ministers, MPs and politicians.

The Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating corruption allegations against former Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed, former NBR member Matiur Rahman and other officials who illegally amassed significant wealth.

To address these issues, the Ministry of Public Administration has set up a committee to determine the format in which officials will disclose information about their assets.

On September 2, senior secretary of the ministry Mokhlesur Rahman told reporters: “This initiative is a stand against corruption. While not everyone files tax returns – only those with taxable income do – now even those who have no assets have to provide information or returns. It is a matter of public interest.”

Officials said a new policy on implementing, maintaining and naming state-funded projects could be approved at an advisory council meeting today.

In Bangladesh, it is common for major projects to be named after political figures and their relatives. Each change of government often leads to a change in the names of many institutions.

Over the past 16 years, the ousted Awami League government has renamed many important institutions and created facilities named after Bangabandhu and his family members.

The Interim Government intends to put an end to these practices with its proposed policy.