UNB, Dhaka :
Transparency International Bangladesh has voiced concern over the finance minister’s move to collect subscriptions from the private sector for the upcoming T20 World Cup and the bid for national anthem record.
In a statement on Monday TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman urged the government to stop collecting such toll which, he said, is contradictory to the Article 20 (2) of the Constitution.
He also demanded disclosure of amount of money and its sources, and how it is being spent.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith on Sunday told reporters that the government aims at collecting Tk 100 crore from the private sector for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup and an event to set the world record for singing of national anthem by the highest number of people.
Of the amount, Tk 50 crore will be required for the tournament while the rest for arranging the national anthem event to be participated by over three lakh people at the National Parade Ground on March 26, he added.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman said the finance minister’s statement on collecting the toll from local and foreign firms is a grave example of deterioration of the country’s politics and state governance.
He said the unethical remark and stance of the minister will encourage extortionists. The businessmen who give toll will tend to be corrupt taking favour of the state power.
Iftekhar said the corruption-friendly stance of a key minister is not only unconstitutional but also against the government’s policy to fight corruption.
