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[🇧🇩] Corruption Watch

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G Bangladesh Defense
[🇧🇩] Corruption Watch
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Awami League tenure: ACC probing 15yrs of financial irregularities

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The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched an investigation into alleged corruption by individuals, financial institutions, industrial groups, and loan defaulters during the Awami League's 15-year tenure, which it claims led to the destruction of the country's financial system.

As part of this move, the commission is examining the role of former top officials of Bangladesh Bank, including three former governors and four former deputy governors, in major irregularities in the financial sector.

In a recent letter signed by ACC Deputy Director Mominul Islam, the commission sought information on various allegations of irregularities in the banking sector over the last 15 years.

"Several teams are working on financial irregularities. Once the investigation is complete, the assigned committee will submit its report. The findings will be disclosed in due time," ACC Director General (Prevention) and spokesperson Md Akhter Hossain told The Daily Star.

According to ACC sources, information has been sought regarding former BB governors Atiur Rahman, Fazle Kabir, and Abdur Rouf Talukder; former deputy governors SK Sur Chowdhury, SM Moniruzzaman, Abu Hena Mohammad Razee Hassan, and Abu Farah Mohammad Nasser; and former heads of the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit Masud Biswas and Kazi Saidur Rahman.

These nine individuals held responsibilities at the central bank at different times during the past 15 years.

The ACC has also requested documents related to the approval of new banks during their tenure, all loan policies issued during that period, information on loan disbursements, money laundering, notices regarding US dollar disbursement from reserves to businesses, and copies of any internal investigation reports by BB concerning these matters.

Additionally, the ACC asked for policies issued since 2009 regarding the regularisation of default loans, and details of companies that benefited from these policies, including: Beximco Group, MR Group, Ratanpur Group, Keya Group, Jamuna Group, Thermax Group, Sikder Group, BBS Group, Abdul Monem Ltd, AnonTex Group, and others.

The commission has sought names of these companies and their owners, permanent and current addresses, loan amounts, and current loan statuses.

The ACC also demanded approval-related notices, documents, and circulars for nine banks approved after the AL came to power in 2009, namely: Meghna Bank, Midland Bank, Madhumati Bank, NRB Bank, NRB Commercial Bank, NRB Global Bank, South Bangla Agriculture and Commerce Bank, Union Bank, and The Farmers Bank, currently named Padma Bank.

In response to a letter from Salman F Rahman, the commission has also asked for the notice and documents related to the 2015 policy on loan restructuring; attested copies of policies issued after 2009 regarding bank inspections; and documents related to the formulation and issuance of those policies.

Furthermore, the ACC has sought attested copies of notices and circulars regarding the acquisition and ownership control of Islami Bank and Social Islami Bank.

If the central bank has conducted any internal investigations on these matters, the commission wants those reports as well.

Contacted, BB spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan said, "Recently, the ACC has issued several letters requesting various information. We are trying to provide all the required data to the best of our ability."​
 

Will corruption ever leave RAJUK?
Govt must ensure transparency and accountability in this institution

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VISUAL: STAR

We are quite disappointed to see RAJUK continuously failing to deliver its services in a transparent and accountable manner. Over the years, this organisation has earned a bad reputation for subjecting service-seekers to various forms of irregularities and unethical practices. While city dwellers had hoped that things would improve during the interim government's tenure, old practices have reportedly remained unchanged. From allotment letters and plot transfers to building design approvals and land-use clearances, irregularities persist across the board. While RAJUK is entrusted with the responsibility of restoring Dhaka's liveability, there have been no visible steps taken towards fulfilling that mandate. This state of affairs is unacceptable.

According to a report by Banik Barta, service-seekers face the greatest challenge while seeking land-use clearance and design approvals. Apparently, getting building designs approved is nearly impossible without paying hefty bribes. Landowners and developers claim it may take anywhere from Tk 5 lakh to upwards of a crore to get a design approved. To address such irregularities, RAJUK had launched the Electronic Construction Permitting System (ECPS) in 2022 but it remains non-functional, mostly because all processes continue through manual, desk-based dealings. Often, building designs submitted online through RAJUK-approved engineers are rejected without explanation. So applicants must visit RAJUK office in person, where they end up being compelled to pay bribes. RAJUK's inefficiency and irregularities are also reflected in its new Detailed Area Plan (DAP), which has drawn criticisms from experts.

We urge the government to eliminate corruption and bribery from RAJUK to ensure the smooth delivery of services to citizens. Currently, securing even a single service requires submitting numerous documents, many of which are unnecessary. This burdensome practice also must end. RAJUK should streamline all its services to alleviate public suffering.

In 2020, the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) recommended some critical reforms to curb corruption and promote accountability within the institution. These include amending outdated laws and regulations, transferring RAJUK's housing and real estate functions to a separate authority, dedicating RAJUK solely to planning and development, decentralising its services, and strengthening oversight, among others. We call on the government to seriously consider these recommendations and take decisive steps to transform RAJUK into a transparent, efficient, and citizen-friendly institution.​
 

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