TIB questions government's retreat from PM's vehicle cost-cutting initiative

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on Sunday questioned the forces behind the government's decision to retain the monthly Tk 50,000 vehicle maintenance allowance for government officials who purchased vehicles through interest-free loans, despite the Prime Minister's directive to reduce the benefit.

The anti-corruption watchdog said the government's move indicated that it had yielded to pressure from a section of privileged bureaucrats.

In a statement, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said the Prime Minister's decision to reduce the monthly vehicle maintenance allowance from Tk 50,000 to Tk 25,000 and abolish the interest-free vehicle loan facility was a commendable initiative aimed at ensuring the prudent use of limited public resources.

He said the initiative reflected the government's commitment to reducing inequality and preventing the misuse of public funds.

"However, without taking the realities into consideration, the influence of a vested group seeking to protect its narrow interests is set to render the highest-level policy decision ineffective," he said.

Dr Iftekharuzzaman questioned what forces had compelled the government to retreat from its cost-saving policy despite the Prime Minister's clear commitment, saying those responsible should be identified and their opportunistic mindset properly understood.

The TIB statement said the classification of a limited group of government officials as beneficiaries of the special facility had been discriminatory from the outset.

It said restricting the benefit to around 2,400 officials while excluding others from the same cadre and of equivalent rank had created inequality and disrupted balance within the civil service.

According to TIB, the continuation of such privileges has encouraged unhealthy competition for specific posts and designations while undermining the motivation of officials excluded from the scheme.

The organisation also questioned the rationale for continuing to spend public funds on monthly vehicle maintenance allowances under what it described as a discriminatory system.

Dr Iftekharuzzaman further asked whether officials enjoying such privileges had drawn any lessons from the Prime Minister's decision to use a personal vehicle and bear its fuel expenses personally.

Referring to the government's decision to raise the salaries of public officials in view of the rising cost of living, he said TIB's earlier recommendation to make asset declarations mandatory had not been accepted.

"As a result, questions remain as to whether the new pay structure will ensure corruption-free and hassle-free public services," he said.

He also said that, amid the country's ongoing economic challenges, the government's decision to back away from a policy adopted at the highest level in response to the dissatisfaction of a section of privileged officials could not be regarded as a normal administrative demand.

"Rather, it reflects the government's surrender to bureaucratic pressure," he added.