Anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on Sunday questioned the government’s decision to reinstate a Tk50,000 monthly maintenance allowance for cars purchased with interest-free loans by a section of officials, calling it a retreat from an austerity move.
In a statement issued in Dhaka, TIB alleged that the reversal—despite a directive from the prime minister to halve the allowance and scrap the loan facility—points to the influence of a privileged group within the bureaucracy.
TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said the earlier decision to cut the allowance to Tk25,000 and cancel the interest-free loan scheme was a “commendable precedent” aimed at reducing discrimination and curbing misuse of public funds.
“Disregarding that decision under narrow interests sets a troubling example where directives from the highest level are rendered ineffective,” he said, questioning who is influencing the government to backtrack from the policy.
He urged the authorities to identify those behind the reversal, warning that such influence undermines transparency and accountability in public administration.
TIB also criticised what it described as a discriminatory system of privileges, noting that only about 2,400 officials benefit from the facility while others in similar cadres and services are excluded.
The organisation said such selective benefits risk eroding internal balance within the civil administration, weakening morale and fuelling unhealthy competition for privileged positions.
“If such benefits continue for a select few, it undermines motivation among other officials and raises questions about fairness in public service,” Iftekharuzzaman added.
The TIB chief also questioned whether officials enjoying such privileges had taken any lesson from the prime minister’s personal austerity measures, including using a personal vehicle and bearing fuel costs.
He further noted that the government has already moved to increase salaries of public officials amid rising living costs, but has not acted on calls for mandatory asset disclosures.
In this context, he said, the reinstatement of the allowance raises concerns about accountability, particularly at a time when the country faces economic pressures both at home and abroad.
TIB warned that ignoring reform-oriented decisions in favour of vested interests could weaken public trust and complicate efforts to ensure efficient and corruption-free service delivery.