At least 10 per cent needs to be paid as kickback to the officials of the local government division to get approval of any project or special allocation, revealed a study report of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).
Between 15-20 per cent of the allocated money is deducted through understanding among mayors, engineers and town managers, the report said.
The study report on irregularities was presented at a function at Brac Centre Inn in the city on Sunday. Presided over by M Hafiz Uddin Khan, a member of TIB Trustee Board, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mashiur Rahman Ranga, Local Government Expert Zarina Rahman Khan, Salauddin M Aminuzzaman, Dr Tofael Ahmed and TIB’s Executive Director Iftekaruzzaman among others, who spoke.
TIB researchers Rabiul Islam and Farhana Rahman, who conducted the study on ‘Local government sector: challenges of good governance and way out’, read out.
An amount of between Tk 1,000-1500 is paid to the project implementation officer (PIO) to get approval of a ton of food grain of TR and Food for Works programme, the study said.
The ruling party men are given between 10 to 20 per cent to get ‘work permit of development work’, the report said adding that Tk 5,000-7,000 is paid by the union parishads to the auditors for preparing reports. The municipalities, it said, have to pay between Tk 40,000-80,000 to the auditors.
People have to pay money for certificate and trade license to the elected representatives of local government bodies, the report said.
There has been interference of the central government at different level of work of the local government, the study report said adding the provision of making local Member of Parliament adviser of the upazila and zila parishads, has made the situation worse.
Speakers at the function urged the government to amend the existing Act to find solution to the problem. It also made 18-point recommendations to curb the influence of the local members of parliament in the affair of local government bodies.
Mashiur Rahman Ranga admitting problems in the institutions of the local government bodies said, “The prevailing problems cannot be solved overnight. I want to assure legal action against those involved in taking kickback.”
Dr Tofael Ahmed said about 50 per cent of any allocation goes to different pockets as bribe.
Tk 1200 crore out of Tk 13,220 crore was allocated for the local government during the last fiscal year, he said.
The national survey report-2012 conducted by the TIB found irregularities in 35.7 per cent local government institutions in issuance of inheritance, death and birth registration certificates.
