Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on Friday urged the government to withdraw the initiative of whitening of black money in the proposed national budget for the financial year (FY) 2020-21.
Terming it as “a graft-supportive, discriminatory and unconstitutional step”, the Bangladesh chapter of the Berlin-based organization expressed concern to this end.
The agency also expressed disappointment over the lack of strong measures in the budget to ensure good governance in the health sector, which has been plagued by long-term irregularities and corruption.
TIB pointed out that ignoring the anti-corruption pledges and all existing laws in the name of post-corona economic recovery, two new sections have been added to the Income-tax Ordinance for the proposed budget to buy land, buildings, flats and apartments, cash, bank deposits, savings, shares and bonds, and thus unrestricted opportunities have been created.
At the same time, it has been proposed to repeal the provision of questioning the source of money or asset by the Anti-Corruption Commission or any other government’s agency, it stated.
Reacting to the budget proposal, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said this is a completely opposite and disrespectful step of zero tolerance towards corruption declared by the prime minister, and cannot be accepted in any way.
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