In a symbolic protest Sunday against “corruption and inefficiency” of the ministries and divisions, opposition MPs proposed that the respective bodies have their expense allocations for the 2013-14 fiscal year cut to Tk1. Some of the MPs also urged a symbolic slashing of Tk100-1000 from the requested allocations.
The Bangladesh National Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami parliamentarians were opposing the allocation of Tk3,445.5bn demanded by the 56 ministries and divisions .
In line with parliamentary procedure, each minister must seek parliament’s endorsement for annual allocations from state funding to meet the expenses of their ministries. Any parliamentarian other than the proposing minister can oppose their demands.
The opposition MPs discussed the grants of five ministries in detail Sunday – public administration, home affairs, local government, finance and law.
“During the last four and a half years, the government failed to set an efficient and impartial administration; so I want the grant be slashed to Tk1,” Joynal Abdin told the House while opposing Tk11.66bn grant asked for by the ministry of public administration.
BNP MPs Jafrul Islam Chowdhury, ABM Ashraf Uddin Nizan, Nazim Uddin Ahmed, Syeda Asifa Ashrafi Papia, Rehana Akter Ranu, Nilufar Chowdhury Moni, Md Amzad Hossain, Lutfor Rahman, Abul Khayer Bhuiyan, AKM Hafizur Rahman, AM MAhbub Uddin Khokon, Harunur Rashid, Mozahar Ali Prodhan, Rasheda Begum Hira, and Jamaat’s ANM Shamsul Islam also raised the same demand.
Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury then gave the floor to local government minister Syed Ashraful Islam, who had sought for the allocation.
“We all want an efficient administration…This time all promotions [of civil servants] was decided by the secretariat, even the prime minister’s office did not interfere,” Ashraf claimed.
He went on to say that during the BNP-led government’s tenure, all appointments and promotions were set by the Hawa Bhaban.
He also ridiculed the opposition’s symbolic protest. “You want an efficient administration but only proposed Tk1 to run it for an year. Is it possible to guarantee a good administration with only Tk1. You should be rational.”
The speaker then put the government’s proposal to release the allocation for the public administration ministry on vote. The motion passed easily as the ruling Awami League (AL) has a majority in parliament.
According to parliamentary observers, opposition parties in the past, including the Awami League, have proposed giving Tk1 to each of the ministry to meet its annual expenditure.
Opposition MP Nazim Uddin Ahmed voiced concerns against the allocations requested by Finance Minister AMA Muhith for his ministry. “I do not think his ministry needs any money. [Billions] of taka has been swindled from the share market; so I oppose the grants.”
MP Abul Khayer Bhuiyan seconded him saying, “The government is involved in smuggling of money abroad…We disagree with the proposal”.
ZIM Mostofa Ali, a BNP lawmaker, was the only exception. He criticised the government for its ‘failure’ to deliver an impartial and efficient administration but endorsed the allocation.
Finance minister Muhith refuted the opposition allegations by alleging that the Bangladesh’s finance and banking sector was in better shape than any time before.
He reiterated that the Tk40bn swindled by the Hall-Mark group was not a ‘big matter’ relative to the total money circulated in the banking sector and pointed out that those responsible are already facing legal action.
“I urge the House to reject the proposals,” said Muhith while justifying his call for granting the finance division Tk451.76bn. The house endorsed the allocations.
The opposition MPs then talked on three ministries—law, local government, and home—and proposed allocating only Tk1. All the opposition proposals were rejected by voice vote.
