Corruption in 23 sectors of CGA activities: TIB
Dhaka, Aug 12 (UNB) – Corruption takes place in 23 sectors of the activities of the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) which poses a challenge to ensuring good governance at the CGA office.
A newly conducted research carried out by the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) revealed on Sunday showed that maximum 10 percent bribes are being given on contractors’ bills while it ranges between 1 to 10 percent for getting pension.
TIB researcher Dipu Roy, who conducted the study, released the research report at a discussion, titled ‘Challenge of good governance at the CGA office; ways to overcome’, held at the CIRDAP auditorium in the city.
The research carried out from September 2010 to March 2012 collected information from 150 personnel comprising officials and employees of different ministries, DG offices, departments and boards, government colleges, primary and secondary schools, and former and incumbent officials and employees of CGA and CAG offices.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith was the chief guest at the function, chaired by TIB Trustee Board chairmen Adv Sultana Kamal. Former caretaker government adviser M Hafizuddin Khan, TIB executive director Iftekharuzzaman, Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) Ahmed Ataul Hakim, acting CGA M Anisur Rahman, and M Tajul Islam, MP, member, parliamentary standing committee on Finance Ministry, among others, spoke on the occasion.
Of the 23 sectors, the research findings showed that up to Tk 2,000 was being given as bribe for including anyone into the new pay scale; followed by Tk 100-200 for drawing first salary and for first bonus, up to 10 percent as bribe on vehicle maintenance bill (oil and gas), 2 percent on internet and telephone bill, 1-5 percent on courier bill, 1 percent on workers wages bill, 1-10 percent or Tk 50-1,000 bribe on TA, DA bill, 0.2-7 percent for contingency bill, 1-10 percent for pension, and Tk 300-1,000 for inclusion in time scale.
The report findings also showed that employees had to give Tk 50-100 as bribe for making their job permanent; Tk 500-1000 for getting annual increment; Tk 100-500 for LPC; Tk 20-100 for GPF account slip; Tk 500-5,000 for advance withdrawal of GPF; 10-15 percent bribe for consultant bill; Tk 50-200 for recreation allowance, 10 percent for dress allowance; Tk 10-20 for bill entry; Tk 20-50 for cheque delivery; and Tk 50-500 for correction of error.
The report showed that the bribe on contractors’ bill varied from 5-10 percent where the total amount was below Tk 1 lakh; from 1-1.5 percent with amount above Tk 5 lakh; and 0.20-0.50 percent with amount above Tk 20 lakh.
The report said that the activities of the CGA office were being carried out with a 36.84 percent shortfall of manpower.
Commenting on the research, the Finance Minister said although the report is based on public perceptions, but more or less it represents the overall situation.
On the bribe for getting pension, Muhith mentioned that he had simplified the procedure for getting pension when he was the Finance Minister in the early 80’s. But, he alleged that the Audit and Accounts office often disobey the rules and regulations for which problems are created.
About the dual control of the CGA office, he said that a decision would have to be taken whether the accounts office should be separated from the audit office.
Mentioning that there has been a vast decentralization of accounting system in the country over the last few years, Muhith said that accounting and auditing is different and they can not be together.
He supported the TIB suggestion that the country should move towards accrual basis of accounting instead of the existing cash basis and not to disburse more than 25 percent of any bill of the government works in June.
The participants in the meeting demanded of the government to make the CGA an independent institution through amending the constitution.
M Hafizuddin Khan, also a former CAG, raised question whether the Ministry of Finance properly owns the CGA office. He also stressed the need for strict monitoring and supervision by the Finance Ministry to this end.
TIB Trustee Board chairman Adv Sultana Kamal underscored the need for continuing efforts to free Bangladesh from corruption.
A newly conducted research carried out by the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) revealed on Sunday showed that maximum 10 percent bribes are being given on contractors’ bills while it ranges between 1 to 10 percent for getting pension.
TIB researcher Dipu Roy, who conducted the study, released the research report at a discussion, titled ‘Challenge of good governance at the CGA office; ways to overcome’, held at the CIRDAP auditorium in the city.
The research carried out from September 2010 to March 2012 collected information from 150 personnel comprising officials and employees of different ministries, DG offices, departments and boards, government colleges, primary and secondary schools, and former and incumbent officials and employees of CGA and CAG offices.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith was the chief guest at the function, chaired by TIB Trustee Board chairmen Adv Sultana Kamal. Former caretaker government adviser M Hafizuddin Khan, TIB executive director Iftekharuzzaman, Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) Ahmed Ataul Hakim, acting CGA M Anisur Rahman, and M Tajul Islam, MP, member, parliamentary standing committee on Finance Ministry, among others, spoke on the occasion.
Of the 23 sectors, the research findings showed that up to Tk 2,000 was being given as bribe for including anyone into the new pay scale; followed by Tk 100-200 for drawing first salary and for first bonus, up to 10 percent as bribe on vehicle maintenance bill (oil and gas), 2 percent on internet and telephone bill, 1-5 percent on courier bill, 1 percent on workers wages bill, 1-10 percent or Tk 50-1,000 bribe on TA, DA bill, 0.2-7 percent for contingency bill, 1-10 percent for pension, and Tk 300-1,000 for inclusion in time scale.
The report findings also showed that employees had to give Tk 50-100 as bribe for making their job permanent; Tk 500-1000 for getting annual increment; Tk 100-500 for LPC; Tk 20-100 for GPF account slip; Tk 500-5,000 for advance withdrawal of GPF; 10-15 percent bribe for consultant bill; Tk 50-200 for recreation allowance, 10 percent for dress allowance; Tk 10-20 for bill entry; Tk 20-50 for cheque delivery; and Tk 50-500 for correction of error.
The report showed that the bribe on contractors’ bill varied from 5-10 percent where the total amount was below Tk 1 lakh; from 1-1.5 percent with amount above Tk 5 lakh; and 0.20-0.50 percent with amount above Tk 20 lakh.
The report said that the activities of the CGA office were being carried out with a 36.84 percent shortfall of manpower.
Commenting on the research, the Finance Minister said although the report is based on public perceptions, but more or less it represents the overall situation.
On the bribe for getting pension, Muhith mentioned that he had simplified the procedure for getting pension when he was the Finance Minister in the early 80’s. But, he alleged that the Audit and Accounts office often disobey the rules and regulations for which problems are created.
About the dual control of the CGA office, he said that a decision would have to be taken whether the accounts office should be separated from the audit office.
Mentioning that there has been a vast decentralization of accounting system in the country over the last few years, Muhith said that accounting and auditing is different and they can not be together.
He supported the TIB suggestion that the country should move towards accrual basis of accounting instead of the existing cash basis and not to disburse more than 25 percent of any bill of the government works in June.
The participants in the meeting demanded of the government to make the CGA an independent institution through amending the constitution.
M Hafizuddin Khan, also a former CAG, raised question whether the Ministry of Finance properly owns the CGA office. He also stressed the need for strict monitoring and supervision by the Finance Ministry to this end.
TIB Trustee Board chairman Adv Sultana Kamal underscored the need for continuing efforts to free Bangladesh from corruption.
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