Staff Reporter :
Most of the officials of Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Office are directly involve in bribe-taking and other financial irregularities and corruption, a research of the Transparency International Bangladesh [TIB] has revealed.
The TIB research report said six ministers, two state ministers, a president of Parliamentary Standing Committee and many others top level politicians have requested the CAG for a post recently, whereas the final examination of the post is yet to be held.
It also found that corruption in CAG’s Office is unbridled while bribes ranging from Tk 4,000 to Tk 500,000 are taken at various levels including for recruitments and disposals of audit objections.
“Bribes Tk 10,000 to Tk 5 lakh are being taken while conducting audit, for transfer and promotion. Candidates have to pay between Tk 3 lakh and Tk 5 lakh to get a job as auditor, junior auditor and driver at the CAG Office,” said the TIB at a press briefing in Dhaka on Thursday.
“Tk 1-5 lakh is exchanged in bribes during annual audit in local and revenue sectors while the officials take Tk five lakh for annual audit in commercial sector. To remain in a preferred posting for a long time it costs Tk 50,000 to 100,000 or more, while a works audit requires 50,000 to 100,000. Bribes are taken Tk 20,000 to one lakh for the annual audit of telecommunication sector,” the report said.
The report titled “Office of Comptroller and Auditor General (OCAG): Challenge of good governance and Way to Overcome” prepared by TIB researcher Dipu Ray, was unveiled before the media. TIB executive director Iftekharuzzaman, TIB Chairperson Sultana Kamal and Deputy Executive Director of TIB Sumaiya Khayer were present, among others.
The TIB observed that the President would appoint CAG as per Section 127 of the Constitution. The President, however, has to work in consultation with the Prime Minister as per Section 48 (3) of the Constitution.
The CAG then submits its report to the President as per Section 132 of the Constitution. At the same time, the CAG has to submit the same report to the PM as per the Rules of Business. And the lengthy process creates difficulties.
TIB Chairperson Sultana Kamal said the OCAG has to share its audit findings with the Prime Minister Office although the PMO itself is audited by the auditors.
“As a result, the constitutional right of the OCAG is violated since the power still remains with the executive authority,” she said. She also called the government for enacting audit laws, providing complete autonomy to the OCAG, filling up vacancies and giving incentives to honest auditors.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman said, “The OCAG is responsible for detecting anomalies in the spending of taxpayers’ funds. It is unacceptable if it becomes corrupt.”
“The findings are unacceptable. It must be cured. There is no alternative to political will to allow the OCAG to function independently,” he said. He also said, “We are confirmed that irregularities at the OCAG are rife.” The report also said that the post of CAG is non-political. But the politicians sometimes want to influence here. The CAG also does not work properly due to the political influence. The report disclosed that the officials of OCAG are involved in many irregularities, as they did not follow the rules and regulations. The report said that it was the failure of the OCAG.
The OCAG does not take annual plan and there is accountability in director level. The OCAG does not check the field level audit. The directors send their report to OCAG without any proper investigation. The OCAG has to send report to the directors for correction several times.
The Central Report division and Quality Assurance do not investigate the report, which send form OCAG. No departmental step against the unscrupulous officials if they are involved in corruption.
The bribes are exchanged in three steps. During the audit, during the bilateral meeting and tri-lateral meeting. If any office does not agree to give bribe for a project, the audit officials raise at least 30-40 objections without making investigation. The audit officials show fear and ultimately force to reach in negotiation if any respective office does not consent to their proposal.
Even ministers, state ministers, MPs and chiefs of parliamentary committees lobbied for appointments of officials, the report said. The report also said Bangladesh’s supreme audit institution was unable to function independently because of political pressure.
“There are complaints of widespread irregularities and corruption in getting favours in matters of recruitments, promotions, postings and trainings in the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.
